Even number

[Guest Jessi]

We have a board of 6 members, which includes the chair. How is a tie broken? 

[Greg Goodwiller, PRP]

If the chair has voted and there is a tie, there is no option for breaking the tie. Since a majority vote is generally needed to adopt a motion, the motion fails. By the way, chairs generally do not vote unless their vote changes the outcome of the vote, which could be either to create a tie vote and thereby defeat a motion that would otherwise have been adopted, or to break a tie vote by creating a majority in favor and thereby adopting a motion.

[Richard Brown]

On 6/10/2024 at 11:48 AM, Guest Jessi said:

We have a board of 6 members, which includes the chair. How is a tie broken? 

I agree with the answer by Dr. Goodwiller, but would point out that if this is a board of only six members, it may utilize the “Small board rules“ in RONR, which permit the chair to participate the same as all other members, including making motions, speaking in debate, and voting.

But, regardless of whether the small board rules are being used, if the vote resulted in a 3 to 3 tie, the motion fails for failure to receive a majority vote. 
 

[Rob Elsman]

Just to drive the final nail, the chair never gets two votes. If he has already voted right along with the other members, he doesn't get a second vote to make or break a tie.

[Gary Novosielski]

On 6/10/2024 at 12:48 PM, Guest Jessi said:

We have a board of 6 members, which includes the chair. How is a tie broken? 

A tie does not require breaking.  Since a tie is less than a majority, the motion simply fails, just surely as if everyone voted No.