Split Vote

[Guest MaryBez]

When a motion is called and the vote is split, i.e. 6-1, 5-2, 4-3, do you need to have a roll call vote on the same motion to determine which members voted yes or no? It has been my understanding that when the chair can determine by the voice vote whether or not a motion passes or fails, there is no need to have a roll call vote. Another member has told me that if there is one no vote, there must be a roll call. Can you please clarify? Thank-you.

[George Mervosh]

No rule in RONR requires a roll-call vote.....in fact RONR states:

" It should not be used in a mass meeting or in any assembly whose members are not responsible to a constituency." RONR, p. 405

And

"a majority vote is required to order the taking of a vote by roll call - in which case a motion to do so is likely to be useless, since its purpose is to force the majority to go on record." RONR, p. 405

[Gary Novosielski]

"a majority vote is required to order the taking of a vote by roll call - in which case a motion to do so is likely to be useless, since its purpose is to force the majority to go on record." RONR, p. 405

But that sentence is given as the reason why, if the bylaws have a provision for ordering a roll-call vote, the requirement should be set substantially less than a majority to order it. The default value, if the bylaws are silent, is a majority vote which, for the reason given, is likely to be useless.