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This appendix shows the correct way to state a motion and the correct way for the presiding officer to repeat the motion to the assembly. Every motion listed in this resource, from a main motion to motions that bring a question again before the assembly, is illustrated. The motions are listed in order of rank, beginning with the main motion.
To obtain the floor say:
[rise] Madam Chairman or Mr. Chairman; Madam President or Mr. President.
To make a motion say:
I move that . . .
or
I move to . . .
The chair states:
It is moved and seconded that . . . . Is there any discussion?
In taking the vote, the chair states:
All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing the voice vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it, and the motion is carried. We will be . . . , and [give member's name] will do it.
or
The noes have it, and the motion is lost. We will not be doing . . . .
In taking a rising vote, the chair states:
All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated.
In announcing a rising vote, the chair states:
The affirmative has it, and the motion is carried. We will . . . , and [give member's name] will do it.
or
The negative has it, and the motion is lost. We will not do . . . .
When a member doubts the result of a voice vote, the member calls out:
Division.
or
I call for a division.
The chair states:
A division has been called for. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated. [Announce the vote.]
To make the motion to postpone indefinitely, a member states:
I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely.
The chair states:
It is moved and seconded to postpone the motion indefinitely. Is there any discussion?
The chair takes the vote:
All those in favor of postponing indefinitely say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
Announcing the affirmative vote:
The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The motion is postponed indefinitely. That means it is killed for the duration of this meeting unless someone who voted in the affirmative moves to reconsider the vote. Is there further business?
Announcing the negative vote:
The noes have it and the motion is lost. Is there further discussion on [the main motion; chair states what it is]?
To make a motion to amend, a member says:
I move to amend the motion by adding at the end . . . .
or
I move to amend the motion by inserting . . . after . . . .
or
I move to amend the motion by striking out . . . and inserting . . . .
or
I move to amend the motion by striking out . . . .
The chair states the motion to amend:
It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by adding at the end . . . . If amended, the motion would read . . . . Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
or
It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out . . . and inserting . . . . If amended, the motion would read . . . . Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
or
It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out . . . . If amended, the motion would read . . . . Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
The chair takes a vote on amendments:
The question is on the adoption of the proposed amendment to add at the end . . . . All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
To announce the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it, and the motion is amended. . . . will be added to the end. The question is on the adoption of the motion as amended. [State the motion as amended.] Is there any discussion?
To announce the negative vote, the chair states:
The noes have it, and the amendment is lost. The question is on the adoption of the motion . . . . Is there further discussion?
To make the motion to commit, a member states:
I move to refer the motion to the . . . committee, to do . . . and report back at the next meeting.
The chair states:
It is moved and seconded to refer the motion to the . . . committee, to do . . . and report back at the next meeting. Is there any discussion on referring to a committee?
The chair takes a vote:
All those in favor of referring the motion to the . . . committee say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing the affirmative vote, the chair says:
The ayes have it, and the motion is referred to the . . . committee to do . . . and report back at the next meeting. Is there further business? [Or announce what the business is.]
In announcing the negative vote, the chair says:
The noes have it, and the motion is not referred to the . . . committee. Is there further discussion?
To make the motion to postpone, a member states:
I move to postpone the motion to . . . [state time or date or both, and if the motion is to be made a special order].
The chair states the motion:
It is moved and seconded to postpone the motion to . . . . Is there any discussion on postponing the motion?
The chair takes a vote:
[If the motion is a general order, it is a voice vote.] All those in favor of postponing the motion, say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it, and the motion is postponed to . . . . Is there further business? [Or announce what the business is.]
In announcing the negative vote, the chair states:
The noes have it, and the motion to postpone is lost. Is there further discussion on . . . .?
In taking the vote when the motion to postpone includes making the main motion a special order, the chair states:
All those in favor of postponing the motion to . . . and making it a special order for . . . please rise. Be seated. Those opposed, please rise. Be seated. [This motion requires a two-thirds vote for adoption.]
In announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The affirmative has it, and the motion will be postponed to . . . and made a special order for . . . . Is there further business? [Or announce what the business is.]
In announcing the negative vote, the chair states:
The negative has it, and the motion to postpone is lost. Is there further discussion?
To make the motion to limit or extend debate, a member says:
I move to limit debate to . . . .
or
I move to extend debate to . . . .
The chair states the motion and immediately takes a vote:
It is moved and seconded to limit debate to . . . . All those in favor please rise. Those opposed please rise. [This motion requires a two-thirds vote to adopt.]
In announcing the vote, the chair states:
The affirmative has it, and debate is limited (or extended) to . . . . Is there further discussion?
or
The negative has it, and debate is not limited (or extended) to . . . . Is there further discussion?
To make the motion to close debate (previous question), a member says:
I move the previous question.
or
I move to close debate.
Note: Members can move the previous question on the immediately pending question, on all pending questions, or on consecutive pending questions.
The chair states:
It is moved and seconded to close debate. If adopted, debate will cease on the pending question. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated. [This motion requires a two-thirds vote.]
Or the chair can say:
The question is on the adoption of the previous question. If adopted, debate will stop on the pending motion. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated. [This motion requires a two-thirds vote.]
In announcing an affirmative vote on the previous question, the chair states:
There is a two-thirds vote in the affirmative. Debate is closed. All those in favor of the pending motion say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing a negative vote on the previous question, the chair states:
There are less than two-thirds in the affirmative. The previous question is lost. Debate will continue. Is there further discussion?
To make the motion to lay on the table, a member must explain the reason for the motion. The member says:
I move to lay the motion on the table because . . . .
The chair states the motion:
It is moved and seconded to lay the motion on the table. All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing an affirmative vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it, and the motion is laid on the table. [The person who moved to lay on the table should be given the first opportunity to introduce new business.]
In announcing a negative vote, the chair states:
The noes have it, and the motion is lost. Is there further discussion [if discussion is in order at that time]?
To call for the orders of the day, a member rises:
Madam President (or Mr. President), I call for the orders of the day.
The chair states:
The orders of the day are called for. The orders of the day are . . . .
To set aside the orders of the day by the initiative of the chair, the chair states:
The orders of the day are called for. The orders of the day are . . . [state what they are]. The question is: Will the assembly proceed to the orders of the day? All those in favor of proceeding to the orders of the day please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated. [A two-thirds vote in the negative is needed to set aside the orders of the day. The vote must be a rising vote.]
In announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The affirmative has it, and we will proceed to the orders of the day.
In announcing the negative vote, the chair states:
There is a two-thirds vote in the negative, and the orders of the day are set aside. We will continue discussing . . . .
To raise a question of privilege, a member rises:
Madam President (or Mr. President), I rise to a question of privilege concerning the assembly.
The chair responds:
Please state the question. [The question may be about conditions in the room, such as too hot, too cold, too noisy, too dark, and so on.]
The chair rules on the question of privilege.
There are three ways to make the motion to recess:
I move that the meeting recess until (a later time).
or
I move to recess for 10 minutes.
or
I move to recess until called to order by the chair.
The chair responds:
It is moved to recess for 10 minutes. All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing the vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it, and the meeting stands in recess for 10 minutes. [one rap of the gavel]
or
The noes have it, and we won't recess. Is there further discussion?
Calling the meeting back to order, the chair states:
The meeting will come to order. [one rap of the gavel]
or
The meeting will be in order.
In making the motion to adjourn, a member says:
I move to adjourn.
or
I move that the meeting adjourn.
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No." [Announce the vote.]
The chair announces the affirmative vote:
The ayes have it and the meeting will adjourn. [Pause; look around to see if anyone is rising to do any one of the five things that are still appropriate at this time - see Chapter 8, "Adjourn."] The meeting is adjourned. [one rap of the gavel]
The chair announces the negative vote:
The noes have it and the motion is lost. The meeting will not adjourn. Is there further business? [or further discussion, depending on what was happening when the motion to adjourn was made]
To make the motion to fix the time to which to adjourn, a member says:
I move that when the meeting adjourns, it adjourn to meet at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
or
I move that when this meeting adjourns, it stand adjourned to meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, at the town hall.
or
I move that on adjournment, the meeting adjourn to meet at the call of the chair.
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded that when the meeting adjourns, it adjourn to meet at 8 p.m. tomorrow. All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No." [Announce the vote.]
The chair announces the affirmative vote:
The ayes have it and the motion is carried. When this meeting adjourns, it will meet again tomorrow at 8 p.m. Is there further business? [Or discussion, depending on what was happening when the motion was made. Or, if the motion to adjourn was pending when someone made the motion to fix the time to which to adjourn, the chair takes the vote on the motion to adjourn.]
The chair announces the negative vote:
The noes have it and the motion is lost. [The chair returns to pending business.]
To make a point of order, a member states:
Mr. President (or Madam President), I rise to a point of order.
The chair responds:
Please state your point.
To make a parliamentary inquiry, a member states:
Mr. President (or Madam President), I rise to a parliamentary inquiry.
The chair responds:
Please state your inquiry.
To make a point of information, a member states:
Mr. President (or Madam President), I rise to a point of information.
The chair responds:
Please state your point.
To appeal the chair's ruling, a member states:
I appeal from the decision of the chair. [This motion requires a second.]
If the appeal is debatable, the chair states:
The ruling of the chair is appealed. The chair ruled that . . . [state the ruling and the reason for the ruling]. The question is, shall the decision of the chair be sustained? Is there any discussion?
In taking the vote on the appeal, the chair states:
All those in favor of sustaining the chair's decision say "Aye." Those opposed say "No." [Announce the vote.] The ayes have it and the chair's decision is sustained. [Announce the decision.]
or
The noes have it and the chair's decision shall not stand.
To object to considering the question, a member says:
Mr. President (or Madam President), I object to the consideration of the question. [This motion does not require a second.]
The chair responds:
The consideration of the question is objected to. Shall the question be considered? Those in favor of considering the question rise. Be seated. Those opposed to considering the question rise. Be seated. [A two-thirds vote against consideration is needed to sustain the objection.]
In announcing the vote (those in favor of considering the question), the chair states:
There are less than two-thirds opposed, and the objection is not sustained. The question is on the motion . . . .
In announcing the vote (those opposed to considering the question), the chair states:
There are two-thirds opposed, and the question will not be considered. Is there further business?
To suspend the rules, a member says:
I move to suspend the rules and take up . . . . [This motion requires a second.]
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to suspend the rules and take up . . . . All those in favor rise. Be seated. Those opposed rise. Be seated.
In announcing an affirmative vote, the chair states:
There are two-thirds in the affirmative; the rules are suspended and we will take up . . . .
In announcing a negative vote, the chair states:
There are less than two-thirds in the affirmative and the rules are not suspended. We will . . . .
To reconsider the vote, a member says:
I move to reconsider the vote on the motion . . . . I voted on the prevailing side. [This motion requires a second.]
If no other motion is pending, the chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the motion . . . . Is there any discussion? [assuming the motion is debatable]
If business is pending, the chair states:
Will the secretary make a note that the motion to reconsider was made and seconded?
To call up the motion to reconsider, a member says:
I call up the motion to reconsider the vote on the motion to . . . .
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the motion to . . . . Is there any discussion?
In taking the vote on reconsider, the chair states:
All those in favor of reconsidering the vote on the motion . . . say "Aye." Those opposed say "No." [Announce the vote.]
Announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it and the motion is carried. We will reconsider the vote on the motion to . . . . Is there any discussion? [Members again debate the motion and take another vote.]
Announcing the negative vote:
The noes have it and the motion is lost. We will not reconsider the vote on . . . . It will be carried out.
To take a motion from the table, a member says:
I move to take from the table the motion . . . . [This motion requires a second.]
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to take from the table the motion. . . . All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
In announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it, and the motion is taken from the table. Is there any discussion?
In announcing the negative vote, the chair states:
The noes have it, and the motion is not taken from the table. Is there further business?
To make the motion to rescind, a member says:
I move to rescind the motion that was adopted to . . . . [This motion requires a second.]
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to rescind the motion that was adopted to . . . . Is there any discussion?
If no previous vote has been given, in taking the vote the chair states:
Because no previous notice has been given, this requires a two-thirds vote to adopt. All those in favor please rise. Be seated. Those opposed please rise. Be seated.
If previous notice was given, the chair states:
Because previous notice was given, this requires a majority vote to adopt. All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
If a two-thirds vote is required (and the vote was a rising vote), in announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
There are two-thirds in the affirmative and the motion to rescind is adopted and the previous action . . . is rescinded.
If a majority vote is required (and the vote was a voice vote), in announcing the affirmative vote, the chair states:
The ayes have it and the motion is carried. The previous action . . . is rescinded.
If a two-thirds vote is required (and the vote was a rising vote), in announcing the negative vote, the chair states:
There are less than two-thirds in the affirmative and the motion is lost. The previous action stands as adopted.
If a majority vote is required (and the vote was a voice vote), in announcing the negative vote, the chair states:
The noes have it and the motion is lost. The previous action stands as adopted.
To amend something previously adopted, a member says:
I move to amend the motion that was adopted at the last meeting to . . . by striking out . . . and inserting . . . .
The chair responds:
It is moved and seconded to amend the motion that was adopted at the last meeting to . . . by striking out . . . and inserting . . . . If amended the action would be . . . . Is there any discussion on the proposed amendment?
The vote is taken and announced the same way as the motion to rescind. If no previous notice is given, the motion requires a two-thirds vote to adopt.
When a nondebatable motion is pending and a member rises to address the chair, the chair should say:
For what purpose does the member rise?
When more than one motion is pending, the chair should state it this way when taking the vote on each motion:
The question is on the adoption of the motion to . . . .
There are several correct phrases to use when taking the vote:
As many as are in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
or
All those in favor say "Aye." Those opposed say "No."
or
The question is on the adoption of the motion to . . .
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