MenuMenu Image

Motions

Motion
Needs a Second?
Is it Amendable?
Is it Debatable?
Required Vote?
Can it be Reconsidered?
May it Interrupt?
Type of Motion
Yes
NO
NO
Majority
NO
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Yes
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority with notice or 2/3 without notice
Consult Parliamentarian
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Yes
NO
Yes
Yes
NO
Majority
NO
NO
Yes
Yes
NO
Majority
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Request by one member
NO
NO
Yes
NO
NO
2/3 Majority
Yes
NO
Yes
Yes
NO
Majority
Consult Parliamentarian
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Yes
NO
NO
NO
NO
2/3 Majority in the Negative
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Chair Responds or Requests Answer
NO
Yes
NO
NO
NO
Chair Resolves
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Yes
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
Yes
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority
NO
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Majority with notice or 2/3 without notice
Consult Parliamentarian
NO
Yes
NO
NO
Majority
NO
NO
Yes
NO
NO
Majority
NO
NO

Types of Motions

Adjourn: A motion to end the meeting.

Amend: A motion to alter or modify the wording of a main motion. A primary amendment changes the motion. A secondary amendment changes the first amendment. Voting order is secondary, primary and then main motion.

Amend something previously adopted: A motion to modify a previously adopted motion.

Commit or Refer to Cmte: This is a motion put forward to refer the current motion to a committee.

Consideration by paragraph: A motion to consider a lengthy motion by paragraph, section or article. This opens each section up to debate and amendment, before the entire document is considered for adoption.

Division of a question: A vote by the assembly to divide a pending motion into two or more parts. Each part must be able to stand on its own.

Division of assembly (recount): Demand by a member to retake a voice vote or show of hands, by asking for a rising vote. The electronic clicker voting system should make this moot.

End debate/ Call the question: A motion to close debate and bring the pending motion up for vote. This requires a 2/3 vote in favor and is done without debate.

Limit debate: A motion to change the length of time an item is debated.

Main motion: A motion which is not applied to another motion, requires a second, is debatable and amendable, usually majority vote required for adoption.

Objection to the question: A member objects to a motion. This must be done when the motion is on the floor, but before discussion. This requires a 2/3 vote in the negative for passage.

Point of information: A request for facts affecting the pending business. The request is made to the chair, although the chair may ask someone else to respond.

Point of order: A motion that brings any violation of rule to the chair's attention. It must be done as soon as the violation occurs. The chair rules on this.

Postpone indefinitely: A motion to reject a main motion without a direct vote or kill it in order not to consider it at that session.

Postpone to specific time: A motion to delay consideration of a main motion until later specified time.

Recess: A motion to take a short intermission in the meeting.

Rescind/Repeal: A motion to repeal a previously adopted motion entirely.

Table the motion: A motion to set aside a main motion temporarily while other more urgent matter is considered without designating a time. If a time is designated, it is technically a motion to postpone for a specific time.

Take from the table: A motion to resume consideration of the motion that was previously laid on the table.

Categories of Motions

Main motion: Introduces new substantive business. It is the lowest rank and may only be made when no other business is pending.

Subsidiary motion: Assists the body in handling a main motion. It ranks above the main motion, but below privileged motions.

Privileged motion: Does not relate to the pending motion but deals with special matters of immediate and overriding importance and generally takes precedence.

Incidental motion: Changes the procedure for handling a motion, but does not change what the body is considering. It generally needs an immediate decision.