Reconsider voter qualification

[redxfred]

There is a member of our council telling me that I cannot vote on a question that is being reconsidered because I did not vote on the original question a week ago. This seems unfair as the number of members present often changes from meeting to meeting. Who is correct?

[Gary Novosielski]

You are.

The motion to Reconsider is not proper a week later. It's for use in the same meeting (session) only. At this point, it's too late to reconsider.

If the motion originally failed, it can simply be made again. If it passed, it would require a motion to Rescind or Amend Something Previously Adopted. And anyone can move those.

[redxfred]

Thank you for clearing up the timing issue.

If the reconsideration of the question is in all other ways correct, is it ever in order to prohibit a member of the council from voting on the question during reconsideration, simply because he did not vote on the question during the first time it was considered?

[hmtcastle]

If the reconsideration of the question is in all other ways correct, is it ever in order to prohibit a member of the council from voting on the question during reconsideration, simply because he did not vote on the question during the first time it was considered?

The term "reconsider" has a very specific parliamentary meaning quite apart from its common, every-day usage.

But, no, apart from the imposition of disciplinary sanctions, every member present is free to vote. Or not.

[redxfred]

Thank you, Sir!

[Gary Novosielski]

Thank you for clearing up the timing issue.

If the reconsideration of the question is in all other ways correct, is it ever in order to prohibit a member of the council from voting on the question during reconsideration, simply because he did not vote on the question during the first time it was considered?

No.

When Reconsider is in order, it must be moved by someone who voted on the prevailing side of the original vote. That's the only restriction related to the original vote.

There are no similar restrictions on who may second the motion, who may participate in debate, nor on who may vote on the motion.

[David A Foulkes]

Thank you for clearing up the timing issue.

If the reconsideration of the question is in all other ways correct, is it ever in order to prohibit a member of the council from voting on the question during reconsideration, simply because he did not vote on the question during the first time it was considered?

Also, what if a member joined between meetings, and thus did not vote at the previous meeting - would that member also not be able to vote? Must all members who voted previously attend the subsequent meeting? Must they all vote on the motion again? Are any of them prevented from abstaining this time?

The answer for all these is "of course not".

Tell this "member of our council telling" you this absurdity to provide valid documentary substantiation to that effect. That is, from RONR, they bylaws, or other rules or governing laws. I'm going to guess he'll come up short. But since you use the word "council", I'll allow there may be something beyond RONR and the bylaws that has effect here, but he'll need to supply it to restrict your right to vote.

[Rob Elsman]

Thank you for clearing up the timing issue.

If the reconsideration of the question is in all other ways correct, is it ever in order to prohibit a member of the council from voting on the question during reconsideration, simply because he did not vote on the question during the first time it was considered?

No. The basic right of an individual member to vote cannot be suspended except as a result of a disciplinary action or the operation of some specific rule in the bylaws, RONR (10th ed.), p. 255, ll. 22-28.