|
General Procedures | Procedures
for the President of the Senate and Speaker of the
Assembly | Consent
Calendar | Use of Pages | Decorum
and Debate | Amending
Bills | Motions – Their
Meanings and Effects | Gavel
Raps | Voting
Voting
- Majority – this is defined as “a majority of the
members of the body”.
-
Example: The Senate has 40 members – the
majority vote required for passage would be 21 YES votes at all times.
- Abstentions – they
have the same impact as NO votes.
-
Example: Senate membership is 40.
The vote needed to pass a Bill is 21 YES votes. Actual Vote – 19
Yes, 15 No, 6 Abstentions. The Bill does not pass because it did
not receive the required 21 votes.
- • All votes, except that for final action on a Bill, may be
taken by voice vote. The Chair shall state “All those in favor
signify by saying Aye”, “All those opposed signify by saying
Nay”. The Chair then raps the gavel once and announces the outcome
of the vote. If there is any doubt, the Chair may request a Standing
Vote – “All those in favor, please rise”, etc.
- Division – any
member who questions a voice shall call out “Division”.
The Chair shall determine if Division is in order and if so, shall
proceed to a Standing Vote.
- Votes on the Main Motion (final
action on the Bill) shall always be taken by Standing Vote.
- Once
a vote is in the process of being taken, it may not be interrupted
for any reason.
- Refer to Chart on of “SIMPLIFIED PARLIAMENTARY
PROCEDURE”.
|
