Secondary amendment

[Guest Angie]

When addressing a secondary amendment followed by a primary amendment, do you proceed with presenting the main motion for a vote assuming that both the secondary and primary amendments were adopted?  Thanks.

[Atul Kapur]

The main motion is voted on, no matter what happens to the secondary and then the primary amendment. If the primary amendment is adopted, then you vote on the main motion as adopted.

Someone may hate the main motion. They may vote for the amendment, thinking that it makes the main motion less bad, but still dislike the main motion, as amended, enough to vote against it.

[Guest Angie]

Thank you.

[Rob Elsman]

Yes. What will be voted on is the main motion, as amended by the primary amendment, as amended by the  secondary amendment. The unamended main motion and the unamended primary amendment are not voted on at all.

[Guest Angie]

Thanks.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 5/12/2020 at 11:52 AM, Guest Angie said:

When addressing a secondary amendment followed by a primary amendment, do you proceed with presenting the main motion for a vote assuming that both the secondary and primary amendments were adopted?  Thanks.

You do not vote on the main motion until you know for certain whether the secondary and primary amendments were adopted.

• In the case you presented, the secondary amendment is voted on, and if it is adopted, the language of the primary amendment is changed accordingly, otherwise the secondary amendment has no effect.
• Next, the primary amendment (possibly with the newly changed wording) is open for further debate and secondary amendments. When the language of the primary amendment is finalized, it is voted on, and if adopted, the language of the main motion is changed accordingly, otherwise the primary (and secondary) amendments have no effect.
• Finally, the main motion, when it comes up for a vote, is in the form that was determined by which amendments were agreed to and which were not.  And it may be passed, or may be rejected.