Establishing a Quorum
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Absolute Voting Rules Adrian Vermeule
University of Chicago Law School Chicago Unbound Coase-Sandor Working Paper Series in Law and Coase-Sandor Institute for Law and Economics Economics 2005 Absolute Voting Rules Adrian Vermeule Follow this and additional works at: https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/law_and_economics Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Adrian Vermeule, "Absolute Voting Rules" (John M. Olin Program in Law and Economics Working Paper No. 257, 2005). This Working Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Coase-Sandor Institute for Law and Economics at Chicago Unbound. It has been accepted for inclusion in Coase-Sandor Working Paper Series in Law and Economics by an authorized administrator of Chicago Unbound. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CHICAGO JOHN M. OLIN LAW & ECONOMICS WORKING PAPER NO. 257 (2D SERIES) Absolute Voting Rules Adrian Vermeule THE LAW SCHOOL THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO August 2005 This paper can be downloaded without charge at: The Chicago Working Paper Series Index: http://www.law.uchicago.edu/Lawecon/index.html and at the Social Science Research Network Electronic Paper Collection: http://ssrn.com/abstract_id=791724 Absolute Voting Rules Adrian Vermeule* The theory of voting rules developed in law, political science, and economics typically compares simple majority rule with alternatives, such as various types of supermajority rules1 and submajority rules.2 There is another critical dimension to these questions, however. Consider the following puzzles: $ In the United States Congress, the votes of a majority of those present and voting are necessary to approve a law.3 In the legislatures of California and Minnesota,4 however, the votes of a majority of all elected members are required. -
Simplified Parliamentary Procedure
Extension to Communities Simplifi ed Parliamentary Procedure 2 • Iowa State University Extension Introduction Effective Meetings — Simplifi ed Parliamentary Procedure “We must learn to run a meeting without victimizing the audience; but more impor- tantly, without being victimized by individuals who are armed with parliamentary procedure and a personal agenda.” — www.calweb.com/~laredo/parlproc.htm Parliamentary procedure. Sound complicated? Controlling? Boring? Intimidating? Why do we need to know all those rules for conducting a meeting? Why can’t we just run the meetings however we want to? Who cares if we follow parliamentary procedure? How many times have you attended a meeting that ran on and on and didn’t accomplish anything? The meeting jumps from one topic to another without deciding on anything. Group members disrupt the meeting with their own personal agendas. Arguments erupt. A few people make all the decisions and ignore everyone else’s opinions. Everyone leaves the meeting feeling frustrated. Sound familiar? Then a little parliamentary procedure may just be the thing to turn your unproductive, frustrating meetings into a thing of beauty — or at least make them more enjoyable and productive. What is Parliamentary Procedure? Parliamentary procedure is a set of well proven rules designed to move business along in a meeting while maintaining order and controlling the communications process. Its purpose is to help groups accomplish their tasks through an orderly, democratic process. Parliamentary procedure is not intended to inhibit a meeting with unnecessary rules or to prevent people from expressing their opinions. It is intended to facilitate the smooth func- tioning of the meeting and promote cooperation and harmony among members. -
A Guide to Parliamentary Procedure for New York City Community Boards
CITY OF NEW YORK MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, MAYOR A GUIDE TO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE FOR NEW YORK CITY COMMUNITY BOARDS Mayor's Community Assistance Unit Patrick J. Brennan, Commissioner r. 2003/6.16.2006 Page 2 A Guide to Parliamentary Procedure for NYC Community Boards Mayor's Community Assistance Unit INTRODUCTION "The holding of assemblies of the elders, fighting men, or people of a tribe, community, or city to make decisions or render opinion on important matters is doubtless a custom older than history," notes Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. This led to the need for rules of procedures to organize those assemblies. Throughout history, the writers of parliamentary procedure recognized that a membership meeting should be a place where different people of a community gather to debate openly and resolve issues of common concerns, the importance of conducting meetings in a democratic manner, and the need to protect the rights of individuals, groups, and the entire assembly. Parliamentary procedure originally referred to the customs and rules used by the English Parliament to conduct its meetings and to dispose of its issues. Some of the unusual terms used today attest to that connection -- such terms as "Lay On The Table" or "I Call The Previous Question." In America, General Henry Martyn Robert (1837-1923), a U.S. Army engineering officer was active in civic and educational works and church organizations. After presiding over a meeting, he wrote "But with the plunge went the determination that I would never attend another meeting until I knew something of... parliamentary law." After many years of study and work, the first edition of Robert's manual was published on February 19, 1876 under the title, Robert's Rules of Order. -
Censure of Board Members Policy Code: 2118
Censure of Board Members Policy Code: 2118 It is the policy of the Board of Education that all Board members conduct themselves in a professional manner and in accordance with the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board. A "censure" under this policy is the process by which the Board of Education, acting by a two-thirds majority vote (i.e. five affirmative votes), can reprimand or condemn the actions of a member for any violation of law or policy or any other conduct committed by a Board member which tends to injure the good name of the Buncombe County Board of Education and/or undermines the effectiveness of the Buncombe County Schools or the Board of Education. A censure is an expression of formal disapproval by the Board. The Board, in addition to or in lieu of censure, may vote to 1) ask the member to resign or 2) refer possible misconduct by a Board member to the District Attorney as provided by law and/or 3) issue the Board member an official warning regarding future conduct. The Board of Education does not have the legal authority to remove a Board member from office. Therefore, any legal consequences or punitive sanctions related to a Board member’s actions shall be in accordance with applicable law and shall be separate and distinct from any censure proceeding under this Policy. In the event that a member of the Board of Education believes that a fellow Board member should be formally censured by the Board, the following protocol shall apply: 1) All Board proceedings related to a censure motion, with the exception of the disclosure of confidential information as permitted by the Open Meetings Law, shall be conducted in an open meeting. -
Points of Order; Parliamentary Inquiries
Points of Order; Parliamentary Inquiries A. POINTS OF ORDER § 1. In General; Form § 2. Role of the Chair § 3. Reserving Points of Order § 4. Time to Raise Points of Order § 5. Ð Against Bills and Resolutions § 6. Ð Against Amendments § 7. Application to Particular Questions; Grounds § 8. Relation to Other Business § 9. Debate on Points of Order; Burden of Proof § 10. Waiver of Points of Order § 11. Withdrawal of Points of Order § 12. Appeals B. PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES § 13. In General; Recognition § 14. Subjects of Inquiry § 15. Timeliness of Inquiry § 16. As Related to Other Business Research References 5 Hinds §§ 6863±6975 8 Cannon §§ 3427±3458 Manual §§ 627, 637, 861b, 865 A. Points of Order § 1. In General; Form Generally A point of order is in effect an objection that the pending matter or proceeding is in violation of a rule of the House. (Grounds for point of order, see § 7, infra.) Any Member (or any Delegate) may make a point of order. 6 Cannon § 240. Although there have been rare instances in which the Speaker has insisted that the point of order be reduced to writing (5 633 § 1 HOUSE PRACTICE Hinds § 6865), the customary practice is for the Member to rise and address the Chair: MEMBER: Mr. Speaker (or Mr. Chairman), I make a point of order against the [amendment, section, paragraph]. CHAIR: The Chair will hear the gentleman. It is appropriate for the Chair to determine whether the point of order is being raised under a particular rule of the House. The objecting Member should identify the particular rule that is the basis for his point of order. -
Role of the Chair and Decorum Presentation
Role of the Chair, Decorum, and More By Felix Rivera 2.30.020 – Presiding Officer • A. The chair of the assembly shall be the presiding officer of the assembly. • B. The vice-chair of the assembly shall be the presiding officer of the assembly in the case of unavailability of the chair. • C. The presiding officer shall be addressed as "Chair." • D. The presiding officer shall be a member of the assembly with all of the power and duties of that office. Section 4.04 – Presiding officer, meetings and procedures • (a) The assembly shall elect annually from its membership a presiding officer known as "chair." The chair serves at the pleasure of the assembly. • (b) The assembly shall meet in regular session at least twice each month. The mayor, the chair of the assembly, or five assembly members may call special meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 11th Edition, pages 449-450 • 1. To open and call the meeting to order • 2. To announce in proper sequence the business that come before the assembly • 3. To recognize members who are entitled to the floor • 4. To state and to put to vote all questions that legitimately come before the assembly • 5. To protect the assembly from obviously dilatory motions • 6. To enforce the rules relating to debate and those relating to order and decorum Robert’s Rules of Order Continued, pages 449-450 • 7. To expedite business in every way compatible with the rights of the members • 8. To decide all questions of order, subject to appeal • 9. -
Rule XX- Voting and Quorum Calls
9/12/2017 Rule XX: Voting and Quorum Calls RULE XX VOTING AND QUORUM CALLS §1012. Voting viva 1. (a) The House shall divide after the voce, by division, by electronic Speaker has put a question to a vote by voice device. as provided in clause 6 of rule I if the Speaker is in doubt or division is demanded. Those in favor of the question shall first rise from their seats to be counted, and then those opposed. (b) If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner requests a recorded vote, and that request is supported by at least one-fifth of a quorum, the vote shall be taken by electronic device unless the Speaker invokes another procedure for recording votes provided in this rule. A recorded vote taken in the House under this paragraph shall be considered a vote by the yeas and nays. This provision (formerly clause 5(a) of rule I) was adopted in 1789 and its present form reflects the revisions and amendments of 1860, 1880 (II, 1311), 1972 (H. Res. 1123, Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36005–08), and 1993 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). From January 22, 1971 (when H. Res. 5 of the 92d Congress was adopted incorporating provisions in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 1140), until October 13, 1972, this rule provided a two-step procedure for ordering “tellers with clerks” before installation of the electronic voting system, and for the first time permitted Members to be recorded on votes in Committee of the Whole. The last two sentences of this paragraph permitting a single-step “recorded vote” and voting by means of electronic device installed in the Chamber in 1972, were contained in a House resolution adopted on October 13, 1972, and were made effective by adoption of the rules of the 93d Congress (H. -
Robert's Rules of Order
Robert’s Rules of Order: How to Effectively Run a Meeting What is Robert’s Rules of Order? • Most widely used manual of “parliamentary procedure” for non-legislative organizations • Used as a means to organize a meeting for: • Church groups • Professional societies • School boards • Associations • Etc. Purpose of Robert’s Rules of Order • Ensure “majority rule” • Protect rights of minority & absentee votes • Provide order and fairness in decisions made • Expedite meetings • All members have equal rights and privilege • Provides checks and balances amongst hierarchy of positions in meetings Components of Robert’s Rules of Order • Quorum must be present for business to occur. Quorum is the minimum number of members of a group that must be present at any meeting, to ensure that enough voices are heard for the decisions made during that meeting to be valid • Agenda created for meeting • Motions – formal proposal for action to be taken on certain topic by organization’s membership Let’s Put It All Together… Commonly Asked Questions of Robert’s Rules of Order 1. Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie? a) No, it is not true. If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions.. However, the impartiality required of the presiding officer of any other type of assembly (especially a large one) precludes exercising the rights to make motions or speak in debate while presiding, and also requires refraining from voting except (i) when the vote is by ballot, or (ii) whenever his or her vote will affect the result. -
Chapter 1 Adjournment
Chapter 1 Adjournment A. GENERALLY; ADJOURNMENTS OF THREE DAYS OR LESS § 1. In General § 2. Adjournment Motions and Requests; Forms § 3. When in Order; Precedence and Privilege of Motion § 4. In Committee of the Whole § 5. Who May Offer Motion; Recognition § 6. Debate on Motion; Amendments § 7. Voting § 8. Quorum Requirements § 9. Dilatory Motions; Repetition of Motion B. ADJOURNMENTS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS § 10. In General; Resolutions § 11. Privilege of Resolution § 12. August Recess C. ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE § 13. In General; Resolutions § 14. Procedure at Adjournment; Motions Research References U.S. Const. art. I, § 5 5 Hinds §§ 5359–5388 8 Cannon §§ 2641–2648 Manual §§ 82–84, 911–913 1 VerDate 29-JUL-99 20:28 Mar 20, 2003 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 2574 Sfmt 2574 C:\PRACTICE\DOCS\MHP.001 PARL1 PsN: PARL1 §1 HOUSE PRACTICE A. Generally; Adjournments of Three Days or Less § 1. In General Types of Adjournments Adjournment procedures in the House are governed by the House rules and by the Constitution. There are: (1) adjournments of three days or less, which are taken pursuant to motion; (2) adjournments of more than three days, which require the consent of the Senate (§ 10, infra); and (3) adjourn- ments sine die, which end each session of a Congress and which require the consent of both Houses. Adjournments of more than three days or sine die are taken pursuant to concurrent resolutions. §§ 10, 13, infra. Adjournment Versus Recess Adjournment is to be distinguished from recess. The House may author- ize a recess under a motion provided in rule XVI clause 4. -
Rules of Procedure for the City Council and the Boards, Commissions and Committees of the City of Forney, Texas
Rules of Procedure for the City Council and the Boards, Commissions and Committees of the City of Forney, Texas Sources Include: Robert’s Rules of Order, Robert’s Rules of Order, National Association of Parliamentarians, and Cities of Bellaire, Huntsville, Kerrville, Killeen, Murphy, Weatherford and West University Place ARTICLE 1. AUTHORITY, APPLICABILITY, AMENDMENT, AND ANNUAL REVIEW .......................................... 4 1.1 Authority. ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Applicability................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Amendment. ................................................................................................................................. 4 ARTICLE 2. GENERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE AND POLICIES......................................................................... 4 2.1 Construction of Authority. ............................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Council/Staff Relationships and Communications......................................................................4 2.3 Meetings Shall Be Public. .............................................................................................................. 4 2.4 Conduct of Meetings..................................................................................................................... 5 2.5 -
Historical Development of the Senate's Amendment
CONTENTS Introduction 1 Amendments in the early Senate 2 Amendments in the contemporary Senate 4 Key developments in the amendment process 6 Chart 4 6 Chart 1 9 Chart 2 10 Conclusion 10 About the author 11 FIGURE 1: Early amendment tree based on motion to strike 3 FIGURE 2: Early amendment tree based on motion to insert 3 FIGURE 3: Early amendment tree based on motion to strike and insert 4 FIGURE 4: Chart 1 - Motion to insert text 4 FIGURE 5: Chart 2 - Motion to strike text 5 FIGURE 6: Chart 3 - Motion to strike and insert R STREET POLICY STUDY NO. 111 (substitute for section of bill) 5 September 2017 FIGURE 7: Chart 4 - Motion to strike and insert (ANS) 5 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT cloture and employed early in the process, filling the tree OF THE SENATE’S AMENDMENT may be successful in passing the majority’s preferred bill through the Senate unchanged. At a minimum, the tactic PROCESS protects members of the majority from having to cast tough votes that could be used against them in their effort to secure James Wallner re-election. Yet despite the increased importance of the amendment pro- INTRODUCTION cess to Senate majorities’ efforts to control the agenda, we enate majorities have used a complex assortment of have, at best, only a limited understanding of how that pro- rules and practices in recent years to exert greater cess developed. Put differently, existing treatments do not control over the institution’s decision-making pro- account for the role that the amendment process was origi- cess than at any other point in its history. -
ROBERT's RULES of ORDER Simplified and Applied
6399-8_2 FM 6/20/02 11:05 AM Page iii ROBERT’S RULES of ORDER Simplified and Applied Second Edition by Robert McConnell Production 6399-8_2 FM 6/20/02 11:05 AM Page iv Robert’s Rules of Order: Simplified and Applied, 2nd edition Copyright © 2001 by Robert McConnell productions Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax 978-750-4470, or on the web at www.copyright.com.You can contact the Publisher directly for permission by email at [email protected] or on the web at www.wiley.com/about/permission. Trademarks:Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo,Webster’s New World, and the Webster’s New World logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Wiley Publishing, Inc., in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission.All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associat- ed with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty:While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.