Remote voting

[Guest falkeg11]

Our bylaws simply state that we follow Robert's Rules of Order, so there is no specific bylaw on attendance by phone.  In the past, we have allowed members to call in and participate over speaker phone, but not to vote if not physically present.  Are there specific rules within Robert's Rules on this issue? 

I noted that this was reviewed in December 2016 on this Forum and the responses were clear that remote voting is not permitted unless our bylaws specifically permit it.  Is this still the case under RONR?

Thanks for your consideration

[Joshua Katz]

7 minutes ago, Guest falkeg11 said:

I noted that this was reviewed in December 2016 on this Forum and the responses were clear that remote voting is not permitted unless our bylaws specifically permit it.  Is this still the case under RONR?

 

Yes.

[Greg Goodwiller, PRP]

Some members attending a meeting by telephone, despite the fact that some are present in person, is nevertheless a form of an electronic meeting.

So it isn't that "remote voting" isn't allowed unless it's in your bylaws, it is that electronic meetings are not allowed unless they are authorized in the bylaws. Once you do that, such members can be counted as present for the purposes of attendance and quorum, and be full participants in the meeting, including voting (although you will likely need some special rules of order about how they can do that). Until such meetings are authorized in your bylaws, while I suppose you can have a phone connection available and allow anyone you so choose to be on it and to speak, such members are not technically "present;" and therefore can neither be counted as such nor vote.

 

[J. J.]

40 minutes ago, Guest falkeg11 said:

Our bylaws simply state that we follow Robert's Rules of Order, so there is no specific bylaw on attendance by phone.  In the past, we have allowed members to call in and participate over speaker phone, but not to vote if not physically present.  Are there specific rules within Robert's Rules on this issue? 

I noted that this was reviewed in December 2016 on this Forum and the responses were clear that remote voting is not permitted unless our bylaws specifically permit it.  Is this still the case under RONR?

Thanks for your consideration

Yes.  If you are covered by statute, you might want to consult with a lawyer.  In some cases.there may be a statutory authorization for you to have "remote" voting.