Filling a Blank; No Suggestion Receives a Majority Vote

[Rollie Cox]

The question is "What is the next step if all of the suggestions to fill a blank are not adopted and the main question is left pending with a blank in it?"

Is there a way to move forward without completely abandoning the original main question?  Thanks for sharing any experiences or thoughts.

[George Mervosh]

Technically the motion could be adopted without the blank being filled but that's not going to be considered moving forward since the book says: " If by chance the motion is nevertheless adopted, the blank should be filled and the motion completed before any new subject (except a privileged one) is introduced"  RONR (p. 167)

The proposals to fill the blank can be reconsidered.  Tinted pages 10-11, Motion 22.

Also, the rules may be suspended to permit the blank to be filled by a plurality vote, then, if it's filled, the main question still needs voted on with a majority vote to adopt it.

Perhaps the original motion could be withdrawn with the assembly's consent and presented in a different fashion as well.

Others may have more creative options.

Edited April 8, 2019 by George Mervosh

[Guest Zev]

You could perhaps draw lots.

[Josh Martin]

5 hours ago, George Mervosh said:

Technically the motion could be adopted without the blank being filled but that's not going to be considered moving forward since the book says: " If by chance the motion is nevertheless adopted, the blank should be filled and the motion completed before any new subject (except a privileged one) is introduced"  RONR (p. 167)

The proposals to fill the blank can be reconsidered.  Tinted pages 10-11, Motion 22.

Also, the rules may be suspended to permit the blank to be filled by a plurality vote, then, if it's filled, the main question still needs voted on with a majority vote to adopt it.

Perhaps the original motion could be withdrawn with the assembly's consent and presented in a different fashion as well.

Others may have more creative options.

In addition to the above, I would suggest that members could offer additional suggestions to fill the blank.

Edited April 8, 2019 by Josh Martin

[Rob Elsman]

Making a motion to reopen suggestions is certainly a possibility, but it is not required.

When no suggestion receives a majority vote, another round of voting should be undertaken. The procedure is very similar to an election of officers.

[J. J.]

I think it should be treated like an election, at least if the motion is adopted with a blank; that would include the possibility of reopening suggestions.  However, the 11th edition does not say that.

[Gary Novosielski]

A motion to Postpone Indefinitely would be in order, and would test whether the assembly had any stomach to continue.  If such a motion failed, soliciting additional suggestions would probably be advisable.