Suspending a Vote by Ballot

[Tomm]

I'm assuming that 45:20 should really have a reference back to 25:7?

You can, in fact, suspend the rule calling for a vote by ballot if the bylaw provides a provision to do so?

Or when it comes to elections is there some other prohibition of a parliamentary rule based on the protection of a members right to privacy?  

[Gary Novosielski]

Yes, obviously if a bylaw provides for its own suspension, it can be suspended.  I've never seen such a provision in the case of ballot votes, except in the special case of unopposed candidates.  

The rule in RONR remains that such a rule is not suspendible even by unanimous vote.  

[puzzling]

RONR 25:7 Does metion that 

a rule in the bylaws requiring that a vote ... be taken by (secret) ballot cannot be suspended.

And does mention 45;18 - 24 , (so including 45:20)

[Josh Martin]

On 5/1/2023 at 12:43 PM, Tomm said:

I'm assuming that 45:20 should really have a reference back to 25:7?

Yes, I think a reference to 25:7 would be appropriate.

On 5/1/2023 at 12:43 PM, Tomm said:

You can, in fact, suspend the rule calling for a vote by ballot if the bylaw provides a provision to do so?

Correct.

On 5/1/2023 at 12:43 PM, Tomm said:

Or when it comes to elections is there some other prohibition of a parliamentary rule based on the protection of a members right to privacy?  

No. The rule in 25:7 is applicable to elections - indeed, it uses elections as the example.

"However, a rule in the bylaws requiring that a vote—such as, for example, on the election of officers—be taken by (secret) ballot cannot be suspended so as to violate the secrecy of the members' votes unless the bylaws so provide (see also Voting by Ballot, 45:18–24)." RONR (12th ed.) 25:7

Even if such a rule were to exist, it wouldn't matter, because the bylaws take precedence over RONR in any event.