Parliamentary Rules

Why do We Need Parliamentary Rules?

Put simply, parliamentary rules (like those codified in a printed authority, such as RONR) allow all Precinct Committeepersons (PCPs) to be heard and allow the Party to make decisions without confusion. Such rules help meetings run efficiently and effectively and help protect the rights of all members (a.k.a. PCPs).

How do They Work?

Parliamentary rules balance the rights of individuals or groups within a Party’s total membership. Such rules are set forth to respect the

• rights of the majority,
• rights of the minority (especially a strong minority greater than one third),
• rights of individual PCPs,
• rights of those absent,
• rights of all these together.

Ultimately, the majority decides matters, but only after full and free discussion. The rights of all (even those absent) are protected.

Rules for Debate

1. PCPs must first obtain the floor.
2. The maker of the motion may speak first.
3. Debate is directed towards the Chairman; it must be confined to the merits of the motion and not the motives or personalities of other PCPs.
4. Amendments may be offered to improve the motion. They must be approved by the body, and the motion must still be adopted as amended.
5. Debate can be closed only by the assembly, that is, by a two-thirds (⅔) vote or by the Chairman if no one seeks the floor for further debate.

Kinds of Motions

• A main motion brings business before the assembly.
• A subsidiary motion assists the assembly in treating or disposing of a main motion.
• A privileged motion deals with matters of immediate importance. It does not relate to the pending business.
• An incidental motion is related to the parliamentary situation so that it must be decided before business can proceed.

Forms of Voting

• A voice vote or vote by acclamation is the most commonly used form of voting (“Yays” and “Noes”).
• A rising vote is the normal method of voting on motions requiring a two-thirds (⅔) vote for adoption. It is also used to verify a voice vote or a vote by show of hands. The Chairman can order a rising vote or a single member can call for a Division of the assembly.
• A show of hands is an alternative for a voice vote, sometimes used in small committees, or very small assemblies, or for a rising vote in very small assemblies, but only if no member objects.
• A count can be ordered by the Chairman or by a majority vote of the assembly.
• Unanimous consent is a vote of silent agreement without any objection.
• A ballot or roll call vote can be ordered by a majority of the assembly.

How to Handle a Main Motion

What’s happening	Chairman says / does	PCPs say / do
Obtain & assign the floor
A PCP rises when no one else has the floor.		PCP addresses Chairman, saying, “Mr. Chairman.“
	Chairman recognizes the PCP by name, title, or nodding.
How the motion is brought before the assembly
PCP sits after stating their proposal.		PCP states, “I move that …” or “I move to …“
Another PCP believes the motion is worth discussing		Another PCP, “I second the motion” or just “Second“
“Is there any debate?” is a less formal alternative to “Are you ready for the question?”	“It is moved and seconded that (or “to”) … are your ready for the question?”
Consideration of the motion
See Rules for Debate		Debate
Chairman puts the question to a vote of the assembly
	“Are you ready for the question?”	Further debate
After debate is ended, or if the formal motion Previous question has been moved and adopted to stop debate, a vote is taken	“The question is on the adoption of the motion that … “Those in favor of the motion say ‘Yay‘.” (Pause.) “Those opposed say ‘No‘.” (Pause.)	PCPs vote
Chairman announces the results of the vote
	“The ‘yays’ have it, the motion is adopted, and … (indicating the effect of the vote or ordering its execution).” or “The ‘noes’ have it, and the motion is lost.”

Ranking Motions

The order of precédence for ranking motions:

Motions are ranked in order to ensure that the most urgent matters are handled first and to create an orderly process for managing business or refining proposals. This order of precédence allows higher-ranking motions to be introduced and voted on while lower-ranking motions are pending. This ranking of business ensures the assembly can address immediate concerns before dealing with the original main motion. Introducing any lower-ranking motion is out of order until all higher-ranking motions are disposed of. The pending motion with the highest rank must be disposed of first in the “last in, first out” (LIFO) order.

After a motion has been stated by the Chairman, higher-ranking motions are in order but not lower-ranking motions except that Amend and Previous question can be applied to amendable and/or debatable motions of higher rank than themselves.

In the table below, the most basic motion (i.e., the Main motion) is listed on the bottom, while higher-ranking motions are stacked on top of each other with the highest ranking at the very top. In other words, motions are listed in descending order of precédence. An asterisk (*) in front of a motion’s name indicates a ranking motion which acts like a Main motion when no other motions are pending.

All motions are listed with their six (6) Standard Descriptive Characteristics:
I = Interrupt, 2 = Second; D = Debate; A = Amend; V = Vote; R = Reconsider.

For more description, hover your mouse pointer over the symbols:

#	Motion name	I	2	D	A	V	R
Privileged Motion
13	* Fix the time to which to adjourn		2		A	M	R
12	* Adjourn		2			M
11	* Recess		2		A	M
10	Raise a question of privilege	I				C
9	Call for the orders of the day	I				C
Subsidiary Motions
8	Lay on the table		2			M	R
7	Previous question		2			⅔	R
6	* Limit or Extend the limits of debate		2		A	⅔	R
5	Postpone to a certain time (or definitely)		2	D	A	M	R
4	* Commit or Refer (to a Committee)		2	D	A	M	R
3	Amend		2	D	A	M	R
2	Postpone indefinitely		2	D		M	R
Main Motions			2	D	A	M	R

Types of amendments

• To insert (within) or add (at the end of a sentence or paragraph) a word, a consecutive series of words, or a paragraph.
• To strike out a word, a consecutive series of words, or a paragraph.
• To strike out and insert (which applies to words) or to substitute (which is applied to at least a paragraph of one or more sentences).
• To strike out a word or paragraph and insert it in a different place.

The voting order of precédence for motions

Motions are considered and voted on in reverse order of their proposal; the motion introduced last (which is the highest in rank) is decided first.

Non-ranking Motions

Motion name	I	2	D	A	V	R
Incidental motions
Appeal Chairman’s decision	I	2	D		M	R
Close nominations or Close the polls		2		A	⅔
Consider by paragraph or seriatim		2		A	M
Create a blank		2			M
Division of the assembly	I				N
Division of the question		2		A	M
Object to consideration of the question	*				⅔	R
Parliamentary inquiry	I				N
Point of order	I		*		C
Reopen nominations or Reopen the polls		2		A	M	R
Request for information	I				N
1 Request for permission to withdraw a motion	*	*				–
Suspend the rules		2			⅔
Motions that bring a Question again before the Assembly
Take from the table		2			M
2 Rescind or Amend something previously adopted		2	D	A	*	R
2 Discharge a committee		2	D	A	*	R
3 Reconsider	*	2	D		M

Notes

1. Before a motion has been stated by the Chairman, it can be withdrawn or modified by its maker. After it has been stated by the Chairman, it can be withdrawn or modified only by unanimous consent or by a majority vote of the assembly.
2. A motion to Rescind or Amend something previously adopted is an incidental main motion which usually requires a majority vote with previous notice, a two-third (⅔) vote without previous notice, or a majority vote of the entire assembly/membership.
3. Hasty or ill-advised action can be corrected through the motion to Reconsider. this motion can be made only by someone who voted on the prevailing side and made only on the same day the original vote was taken. In a session of more than one day, a reconsideration can also be moved on the next succeeding day within the session on which the meeting is held.

What to Expect: Typical Agenda for Regular Meetings

1. Opening Ceremonies:
   • Invocation
   • Pledge of Allegience
2. Reading of the Credentials Report (to determine Quorum)
3. Call to Order
4. Adoption of Agenda
5. Approval of Minutes
6. Reports of Officers and Committees
7. Special Orders (if any)
8. Unfinished Business & General Orders
9. Announcements
10. New Business
11. Closing & Adjournment

(Content for this page has been adapted from “Basic Parliamentary Information” by the National Association of Parliamentarians © 2012, 4th ed.)