How many votes are required to pass a motion? 19 board members were present at a meeting. 9 voted in favour (Cdn. Spelling) of a motion. 8 voted against. 1 person abstained. The motion passed. Is a 2/3 majority vote required to pass a motion?

[Guest Natasha]

Passing Motions

[Guest Natasha]

Correction: 20 members were present at a meeting (including the president).  The president did not vote.

[Guest Natasha]

Second correction: there were indeed 19 board members present.  The president did not vote.  9 members voted in favour and 8 voted against.  1 member abstained.  If 18 members (not including the president) were able to vote, did we need at least 2/3 of the members to vote in favor of the motion (or 12 members) to pass the vote?

[puzzling]

Depending on your bylaws and what kind of motion it was a majority or a 2/3 vote could be needed.

In your given example 

A majority of those present and voting were in favour (and the motion if that was all that was required would be adopted)

While this is the most likely  vote needed some motions may require a different vote.

[Richard Brown]

Guest Natasha,  the motion received a majority vote and was adopted unless your own rules require a higher vote threshold.  If RONR is your parliamentary authority, only a majority vote is required to adopt most ordinary motions. A majority vote is defined as more  than half of the votes cast by members present and voting. In other words, more yes votes than no votes.  Abstentions are ignored. The president abstained. The Vote threshold is not based on the number of members present unless that is what your rules require.

There are some exceptions to the majority vote requirement. Examples are amendment of the bylaws, motions to close or limit debate, and motions to amend or rescind something previously adopted without previous notice.  

if you can tell us the nature of the motion you are talking about, we can give you better advice as to whether the motion was validly adopted. I am assuming for the purposes of this answer that it was an ordinary motion to do something such as to paint the clubhouse red, to buy a new computer for the secretary, or to march in the upcoming fourth of July parade. 

I do have one question: what was the president’s  announcement as to whether the motion was adopted? Normally, the announcement by the presiding officer as to whether the motion passed is controlling. 

Edited to add: for more information as to what constitutes a majority vote, a 2/3 vote, and how to handle abstentions, see frequently asked questions  4, 5, and 6 on the main website here: https://robertsrules.com/frequently-asked-questions/
 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 at 09:07 AM by Richard Brown
Added last paragraph

[Gary Novosielski]

On 4/30/2023 at 2:06 AM, Guest Natasha said:

Second correction: there were indeed 19 board members present.  The president did not vote.  9 members voted in favour and 8 voted against.  1 member abstained.  If 18 members (not including the president) were able to vote, did we need at least 2/3 of the members to vote in favor of the motion (or 12 members) to pass the vote?

Ordinary main motions require only a majority vote, if the rules in RONR apply.

A vote of 9-8 is a majority.  The number present is not important as long as it is meets the quorum requirements.  A 2/3 vote is required on certain motions, but not an ordinary main motion.