Elections

[Guest Kathy]

Is discussion in order between the close of nominations and the vote?

[Chris Harrison]

Is discussion in order between the close of nominations and the vote?

Nominations are debatable.

[Guest Kathy]

Thank you for the response. Would you by chance have a cite to Robert's for that point? Is it because a nomination is considered a main motion, and thereby debatable?

[Chris Harrison]

Thank you for the response. Would you by chance have a cite to Robert's for that point? Is it because a nomination is considered a main motion, and thereby debatable?

RONR tinted pages 18-19 # 49.

[David A Foulkes]

Curious.... when does the debate on nominations take place? Is it after the close of nominations has been announced? I ask because p.422 l. 17-20 suggests that after nominations are closed, the voting takes place. I've been (admittedly) skimming over Section 46 and other referenced pages (as noted in the index) and find nothing about the timing of nominational debate. I would assume it not to be during the nomination process, so after the close makes sense. Just don't seem to see any direct reference to the debate phase.

[Rob Elsman]

Is discussion in order between the close of nominations and the vote?

An election is, in effect, a main motion "that ______ be elected...", RONR (10th ed.), p. 416, ll. 4-6. As such, in my opinion, Standard Descriptive Characteristic 5 of the main motion, p. 98, l. 24, applies; that is, an election is debatable after the close of nominations and before voting begins, with the same limits on the number and length of speeches that apply to other main motions.

[Chris Harrison]

Curious.... when does the debate on nominations take place? Is it after the close of nominations has been announced? I ask because p.422 l. 17-20 suggests that after nominations are closed, the voting takes place. I've been (admittedly) skimming over Section 46 and other referenced pages (as noted in the index) and find nothing about the timing of nominational debate. I would assume it not to be during the nomination process, so after the close makes sense. Just don't seem to see any direct reference to the debate phase.

I am not sure if there is anything in RONR that says when the debate takes place. I think that the timing is something that the assembly decides by custom or adopted rule. It would seem to make sense that it would take place after the nominations are closed (or there are no more offered) otherwise every member could make two ten minute speeches for every nomination made plus it would disrupt the flow of the nominating process.

[Rob Elsman]

I am not sure if there is anything in RONR that says when the debate takes place. I think that the timing is something that the assembly decides by custom or adopted rule. It would seem to make sense that it would take place after the nominations are closed (or there are no more offered) otherwise every member could make two ten minute speeches for every nomination made plus it would disrupt the flow of the nominating process.

In my opinion, debate on nominations may take place during the time when nominations are open (i.e., before nominations are closed). Like suggestions to fill a blank, each nomination is treated as an "independent original", RONR (10th ed.), p. 156, ll. 32-35; thus, each member is, indeed, entitled to make two speeches about each nomination.

[David A Foulkes]

As such, in my opinion, Standard Descriptive Characteristic 5 of the main motion, p. 98, l. 24, applies; that is, an election is debatable after the close of nominations and before voting begins, with the same limits on the number and length of speeches that apply to other main motions.

In my opinion, debate on nominations may take place during the time when nominations are open (i.e., before nominations are closed). Like suggestions to fill a blank, each nomination is treated as an "independent original", RONR (10th ed.), p. 156, ll. 32-35; thus, each member is, indeed, entitled to make two speeches about each nomination.

Just wondering, in your opinion, which it is?

[Josh Martin]

Just wondering, in your opinion, which it is?

There is no reason both cannot be true. They are not mutually exclusive. That is, members could speak twice for up to ten minutes each time on each nomination before nominations are closed, and after nominations are closed, they could speak twice for up to ten minutes each time on the underlying motion, "That ______ be elected..."

Given this fact, it may be advisable for the assembly to adopt Limit or Extend Limits of Debate, Suspend the Rules, or special rules of order to modify these limits.

[Rob Elsman]

There is no reason both cannot be true. They are not mutually exclusive. That is, members could speak twice for up to ten minutes each time on each nomination before nominations are closed, and after nominations are closed, they could speak twice for up to ten minutes each time on the underlying motion, "That ______ be elected..."

Given this fact, it may be advisable for the assembly to adopt Limit or Extend Limits of Debate, Suspend the Rules, or special rules of order to modify these limits.

Well, there's a big difference between a member's having a right and a member's exercising that right. There's no reason, per se, to think that the general limits on the number or length of speeches are inappropriate.

[Josh Martin]

Well, there's a big difference between a member's having a right and a member's exercising that right. There's no reason, per se, to think that the general limits on the number or length of speeches are inappropriate.

Yes, this is why I said "may," and it largely depends on the size and character of the assembly and the circumstances of the election. I've seen assemblies in which debate is virtually unheard of for elections, and I've also seen assemblies where debate on an election drags on for hours.

[Rob Elsman]

Yes, this is why I said "may," and it largely depends on the size and character of the assembly and the circumstances of the election. I've seen assemblies in which debate is virtually unheard of for elections, and I've also seen assemblies where debate on an election drags on for hours.

It sounds like we've been to the same meetings.

For those who might wonder, motions to limit debate cannot be applied to nominations alone, though they can be applied to the main motion.