Silvertomster Posted October 1, 2018 at 12:59 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 at 12:59 PM Is a member who arrives late to a meeting, and didn't hear most or all of the debate on a particular motion, entitled to vote on that motion? Can he do so at any time before the result is announced? The latecoming member is otherwise fully entitled to vote, and there is nothing in the bylaws or standing rules that addresses this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Katz Posted October 1, 2018 at 01:02 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 at 01:02 PM Yes, well, almost. The definition of member is person with the full right to participate in the proceedings, and the right to vote is lost only through a disciplinary proceeding or as prescribed in your rules. He can't cast a vote, though, when others could not cast a vote, i.e. after the polls are closed. Whenever anyone is entitled to cast a vote, he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted October 1, 2018 at 01:27 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 at 01:27 PM Agreeing with mr. Katz, a member is not required to be present for the debate in order to cast a vote. As long as he is able to cast a vote before the polls close or the ballots are collected, he may vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Mervosh Posted October 1, 2018 at 02:45 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 at 02:45 PM "It is a fundamental principle of parliamentary law that the right to vote is limited to the members of an organization who are actually present at the time the vote is taken in a regular or properly called meeting, although it should be noted that a member need not be present when the question is put." RONR (11th ed.), p. 423 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Geiger Posted October 1, 2018 at 04:29 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 at 04:29 PM In other words, if the member is present for the vote, it doesn't matter whether they were there for the debate. Whether it's polite or reasonable to vote on a motion one did not hear the debate for is another question entirely, but that's a question of etiquette, not parliamentary procedure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. J. Posted October 1, 2018 at 05:48 PM Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 at 05:48 PM 1 hour ago, Benjamin Geiger said: In other words, if the member is present for the vote, it doesn't matter whether they were there for the debate. Whether it's polite or reasonable to vote on a motion one did not hear the debate for is another question entirely, but that's a question of etiquette, not parliamentary procedure. As one parliamentarian wrote, "...while the wisdom of the voter in making that choice may be questioned, the right of the voter to make that choice cannot." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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