Vote on a motion

[Jdermenjian]

In a recent city commission meeting, there was a motion that was being voted on. The first two members voted "yes", the third voted "no", then the third member proceeded to amend the motion. This then resulted in the second member, who originally voted "yes", changing his vote to go along with the third member, "no"/amend. The fourth member had not yet voted, so the vote never concluded. Is this proper? I thought a vote on a motion must conclude before a new motion is made, which would then require a new vote. Also, you can't amend a motion in the middle of the vote...can you?

[Dan Honemann]

In a recent city commission meeting, there was a motion that was being voted on. The first two members voted "yes", the third voted "no", then the third member proceeded to amend the motion. This then resulted in the second member, who originally voted "yes", changing his vote to go along with the third member, "no"/amend. The fourth member had not yet voted, so the vote never concluded. Is this proper? I thought a vote on a motion must conclude before a new motion is made, which would then require a new vote. Also, you can't amend a motion in the middle of the vote...can you?

You are correct, nothing is permitted to interrupt a vote being taken in this fashion after any member has voted (RONR, 10th ed., p. 408).

[hmtcastle]

. . . then the third member proceeded to amend the motion . . .

Additionally, a single member can't simply amend a motion. That's a decision made by the assembly as a whole. At the proper time, as indicated.