Guest Mr. Lutz Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:29 AM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:29 AM How appropriate/allowed is it for someone to make a motion and someone to second that motion when neither has the intent of voting "yes" on that motion? In this case, in an even-numbered body where one member has passed away leaving a vacancy and in order to affect the order in which two competing motions are voted upon in hopes that a tie-breaking individual will not vote "yes" twice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmuel Gerber Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:54 AM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:54 AM 13 minutes ago, Guest Mr. Lutz said: How appropriate/allowed is it for someone to make a motion and someone to second that motion when neither has the intent of voting "yes" on that motion? There's no rule against it. However, "In debate, the maker of a motion, while he can vote against it, is not allowed to speak against his own motion. He need not speak at all, but if he does he is obliged to take a favorable position." (RONR, 11th ed., p. 393) 15 minutes ago, Guest Mr. Lutz said: In this case, in an even-numbered body . . . and in order to affect the order in which two competing motions are voted upon in hopes that a tie-breaking individual will not vote "yes" twice? Nobody is allowed to cast two votes on the same motion unless the body's rules specifically say so. In addition, if this is obviously a tactic to "force" the second motion to be adopted after the first one is defeated, the members on the other side can simply create a tie vote on the second motion as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr. Lutz Posted May 2, 2019 at 10:47 AM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 10:47 AM Thanks. Is a similar obligation extended to the person who seconds a motion? Seconding seems to be gauging if there is enough interest in a motion to carry it forward, so someone who seconds might be simply thinking "there's obviously enough interest to carry this forward, even if it's not my interest." In this case, it wasn't the same motion being voted twice, but rather, "shall we appoint individual A to such and such an office?" then "shall we appoint individual B?" The initial motion/second seemed designed to force a "no" vote on individual A from member X because they preferred (but not exclusively, perhaps), individual B. Had the voting order been reversed, member X may have voted "yes" to both individuals B and A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Coronite Posted May 2, 2019 at 10:49 AM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 10:49 AM Have you considered simply holding an election to fill the vacancy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Katz Posted May 2, 2019 at 11:58 AM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 11:58 AM 1 hour ago, Guest Mr. Lutz said: Thanks. Is a similar obligation extended to the person who seconds a motion? Seconding seems to be gauging if there is enough interest in a motion to carry it forward, so someone who seconds might be simply thinking "there's obviously enough interest to carry this forward, even if it's not my interest." The person who seconds a motion may speak against it in debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Geiger Posted May 2, 2019 at 01:56 PM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 01:56 PM As I understand it, "Second" simply means "I want to discuss this motion", without any connotation of support or opposition. You can second a motion because you support it, or you can second a motion because you want to argue against it to put it to rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr. Lutz Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:32 PM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:32 PM Thanks for your clarifying comments. My question has been answered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Brown Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:33 PM Report Share Posted May 2, 2019 at 04:33 PM Messrs Katz and Geiger are correct. The person who seconds a motion does not necessarily support the motion and may not only vote against the motion but may also speak against it in debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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