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until our regular meeting in October." Or the motion can contain no specific time for the return of the item, in which case a motion to take the item off the table and bring it back to the Commission will have to be taken at a future meeting. A motion to table an item (or to bring it back to the Commission) requires a simple majority vote. A motion to limit debate. The most common form of this motion is to say: "I call the question." When a member of the Commission makes such a motion, the member is really saying: "I've had enough debate. Let's get on with the vote". When such a motion is made, the Chair should ask for a second, stop debate, and vote on the motion to limit debate. The motion to limit debate requires a 2/3 vote of the Commission. Note: that a motion to limit debate could include a time limit. For example: "I move we limit debate on this agenda item to 15 minutes." Even in this format, the motion to limit debate requires a 2/3 vote of the Commission. A similar motion is a motion to object to consideration of an item. This motion is not debatable, and if passed, precludes the Commission from even considering an item on the agenda. It also requires a 2/3 vote. Majority and Super -Majority Votes A tie vote means the motion fails. So in a 15 -member Commission, a vote of 7-7 with one abstention means the motion fails. If one member is absent and the vote is7-7, the motion still fails. All motions require a simple majority, but there are a few exceptions. The exceptions come up when the Commission is taking an action which, effectively, cuts off the ability of a minority of the Commission to take an action or discuss and item. These extraordinary motions require a 2/3 majority (a super -majority) to pass: Motion to limit debate. Whether a member says "I call the question" or "I move to limit debate", it all amounts to an attempt to cut off the ability of the minority to discuss an item, and it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. Motion to close nominations. When choosing officers of the Commission (like the Chair) nominations are in order either from a nominating committee or from the floor of the Commission. A motion to close nominations effectively cuts off the right of the minority to nominate officers, and it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. Motion to object to the consideration of a question. Normally, such a motion is unnecessary since the objectionable item can be tabled, or defeated straight up. However, when members of a Commission do not even want an item on the agenda to be considered, then such a motion is in order. It is not debatable, and it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. Motion to suspend the rules. This motion is debatable, but requires a 2/3 vote to pass. If the Commission has its own rules of order, conduct or procedure, this motion allows the Commission to suspend the rules for a particular purpose. The Motion to Reconsider There is a special and unique motion that requires a bit of explanation all by itself: the motion to reconsider. A tenet of parliamentaryprocedure is fmality. After vigorous discussion, debate, perhaps disagreement and a vote, there must be some closure to the issue. And so, after a vote is taken, the matter is deemed closed, subject only to a re - opener if a proper motion to reconsider is made.