EdInArk Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:10 AM Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:10 AM (edited) I know this is very basic, but I can't seem to formulate a search that'll answer it. Assume we have a quorum at a meeting. Is a motion passed if a majority of those present vote Yes? Or is a simple majority of the votes cast sufficient? Examples: 15 member present -- 7 yes, 6 no, and 2 abstaining. Did that pass? Or does it take a majority of those present even if a number abstain? Thx ... Ed Edited July 10, 2019 at 01:11 AM by EdInArk Clarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. J. Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:20 AM Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:20 AM 7 minutes ago, EdInArk said: I know this is very basic, but I can't seem to formulate a search that'll answer it. Assume we have a quorum at a meeting. Is a motion passed if a majority of those present vote Yes? Or is a simple majority of the votes cast sufficient? Examples: 15 member present -- 7 yes, 6 no, and 2 abstaining. Did that pass? Or does it take a majority of those present even if a number abstain? Thx ... Ed For most main motions, the motion was adopted. There are a few situations where some greater vote is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdInArk Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:23 AM Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:23 AM Thanks J. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zev Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:26 AM Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:26 AM Quote As stated on page 4, the basic requirement for approval of an action or choice by a deliberative assembly, except where a rule provides otherwise, is a majority vote. The word majority means "more than half"; and when the term majority vote is used without qualification -- as in the case of the basic requirement -- it means more than half of the votes cast by persons legally entitled to vote, excluding blanks or abstentions, at a regular or properly called meeting. RONR 11th edition page 400. In your example the motion would have passed. Had it been 1-yes 0-no 14-abstain it still would have passed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Goodwiller, PRP Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:44 AM Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 01:44 AM The point is that the RONR standard for most motions is a majority of those "present and voting;" therefore, if anyone chooses not to vote, their abstention from voting doesn't affect the outcome.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdInArk Posted July 10, 2019 at 11:36 AM Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 11:36 AM 10 hours ago, Guest Zev said: RONR 11th edition page 400. In your example the motion would have passed. Had it been 1-yes 0-no 14-abstain it still would have passed. I appreciate the detailed response. I do have RONR 11th edition coming, but I needed the info more quickly. Thanks to all for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstackpo Posted July 10, 2019 at 11:51 AM Report Share Posted July 10, 2019 at 11:51 AM And for a "quick study" pick up a copy of RONRIB: "Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief", Updated Second Edition (Da Capo Press, Perseus Books Group, 2011). It is a splendid summary of all the rules you will ever need in all but the most exceptional situations. And only $7.50! You can read it in an evening. Get both RONRIB and RONR (scroll down) at this link: http://www.robertsrules.com/inbrief.html Or in your local bookstore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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