Voting and Quorum
What Is a Quorum FAQs
Quorum questions are the most common searches on the Jurassic Parliament website. Here are the contents of our new article, “What Is a Quorum FAQs.” Join our list and get…
Read MoreWhen asked to vote, director does nothing
Dear Dinosaur: When calling for the vote with our 3-person county board, two directors vote “aye” and the third director does not vote. The director doesn’t vote aye, nay or…
Read MoreUnanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting
One of the useful techniques to add to your voting toolkit is “unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.” If allowed by state law, you can use this approach…
Read MoreCan committees take official votes? Is a “straw poll” allowed?
Dear Dinosaur: A secretary forwarded a board member’s question: “I have always been told that we could not take an official vote in committee. Can you find anything about this?”…
Read MoreWhen and how can you change your vote?
A reader contacted us with some concern because a member of her local government body had changed their vote in order to be able to move reconsideration at the next…
Read MoreCan we vote on 10 ordinances at once?
Dear Dinosaur: We have 10 ordinances on tonight’s agenda for pay increases for all Village employees. Each ordinance covers a department. After they discuss each piece and nothing has to…
Read MoreYou must call for the negative vote
Updated November 18, 2022 One of the surprising rules about voting is that when taking the vote, the chair MUST call for the negative vote—even if the chair is perfectly…
Read MoreWhen is a quorum not enough?
It seems that confusion is rampant about the “quorum” and related voting issues. Read on:
Read MoreCounting a vote wrong is dangerous
Updated November 18, 2022 Counting a vote wrong can land you in big trouble. As readers know, the QUORUM is the minimum number of voting members who must be present…
Read MoreTie vote fails
Updated July 22, 2021 What happens when a vote is tied? Here are a few angles to this question. A reader writes: I am the Vice-Chair of a small board—three…
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