Revising Motions by author

[Guest David Kieran]

Can a motion be withdrawn and revised by the author before it is seconded? What if someone jumps in with a vote before the second and before discussion has ensued?

Is discussion required before a vote is taken?

Thank you.

David

[Chris Harrison]

Can a motion be withdrawn and revised by the author before it is seconded?

Yes. The motion belongs to the maker until the Chair states the question and until that occurs the maker can withdraw or modify the motion unilaterally (RONR pp. 295-298).

What if someone jumps in with a vote before the second and before discussion has ensued?

With a (hopefully) rare exception the Chair would be the one putting the question (taking a vote) so if the Chair tries putting the question on a debatable motion when someone is trying to obtain the floor a prompt Point of Order should be raised.

Is discussion required before a vote is taken?

Some motions are debatable and some aren't. See RONR tinted pages 42-43 for details on what motions are not debatable.

[Tim Wynn]

Can a motion be withdrawn and revised by the author before it is seconded? What if someone jumps in with a vote before the second and before discussion has ensued?

Is discussion required before a vote is taken?

Thank you.

David

1. Sure

2. I don't know what you mean by "jumps in with a vote." It is not in order for a member to just yell out his vote before the question is put to a vote. See RONR (11th ed.), p. 44-47 for the details of putting a question to a vote.

3. If the motion is debatable, members have the right to speak in debate while the motion is pending. However, if no member wishes to speak in debate, the motion can put to a vote without debate.