Can you make a motion in the same meeting that changes affects a motion made earlier in the meeting?

[Guest DW]

A motion was made to elect someone to a treasurer position in a meeting. After discussion, a motion was made that an officer of this same position couldn't serve in this position if their spouse was on the finance committee. Moderator said this was out of order and had to be done later. He said we had to move on with a vote on the person and address the concern later. Motion to vote secret ballot was denied. Person was voted in.

Later in the meeting under new business, a motion was made that an officer of this same position couldn't serve in this position if their spouse was on a committee they were interacting with. This was seconded and carried.

Today, the moderator is saying this later motion that passed is illegal. It couldn't happen in the same meeting as an election. Can anyone help advise what is the correct procedure.

[Chris Harrison]

I would say that the motion is null and void because only the bylaws can impose qualifications or limitations for holding an office per RONR p. 251[a] (though the fact that the potential Treasurer's spouse sits on the Finance Committee certainly can be brought up in debate when the election is pending). However, your bylaws may be worded in a way that would allow a simple motion to impose qualifications or limitations (don't post them here because it is beyond this forum's scope to interpret bylaws).