Quick answers to questions on parliamentary procedure

Labels

Agenda (1) Boards (2) bylaws (2) Debate (2) Elections (4) Minutes (3) Officers (3) Presiding (1) Quorum (1) Voting (3)

Monday, March 8, 2010

Secretary Casting the Ballot

Q: I have been to a number of annual meetings for various nonprofit organizations. In many cases the Secretary presents the slate of officers and then says something like "and the Secretary casts one for the ballot." I would very much like to know more about why this is done and what it actually means.


This is usually an unofficial and unauthorized procedure that some assemblies customarily use without being aware that it is not allowed. It is often used when only one name has been presented for an office and there is a desire to avoid the lengthy process of balloting. Sometimes the expression is used as follows: "There being no other nominations, the secretary will cast one ballot for the nominating committee's slate" or "I move that nominations be closed and the secretary cast the ballot."

One must remember, however, that even on a ballot with one nominee and even though nominations have been closed, the individual voter may still write in another name. The voter has the right to oppose any choice or nominee, and the only way a voter can cast a vote against a single nominee is to write in an alternative.

According to Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised: "When the bylaws require a vote to be taken by ballot, this requirement cannot be suspended, even by a unanimous vote. Thus, it it out of order in such a case to move that one person -- the secretary, for example -- cast the ballot of the assembly" (pages 398-399).

Bylaws, however, can be written with almost any special provision. For example, the association bylaws can be written to specify that a ballot election may be by voice vote if there is only one nominee. Unless the association bylaws specifically allow the secretary to cast the vote on a ballot election with only one nominee, the custom you have identified is out of order.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers