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July 13, 2001
<br />
<br />Mr. Chairman,
<br />
<br />As you know, at the July 12th, 2001 Charter Commission meeting, one of the members called for a Roll-Call vote on a pending
<br />motion. Also, I believe you and all other members present, understood I had serious concerns with the intent of taking this
<br />vote by roll-call, hence my hesitation in voting.
<br />
<br />It is my request that the results of the Roll-Call vote on this matter be eliminated and stricken from the minutes with regards to
<br />this and the vote be recorded as a show of hands vote. I would like to quote Robert’s Rules, Newly Revised edition, 2000,
<br />pages 405-408:
<br />
<br />ROLL-CALL VOTE. Taking a vote by roll call (or by yeas and nays, as it is also called) has the effect of placing on the
<br />record how each member or, sometimes each delegation, votes; therefore, it has exactly the opposite effect of a ballot
<br />vote. It is usually confined to representative bodies, where the proceedings are published, since it enables constituents
<br />to know how their representatives voted on certain measures. It should not be used in a mass meeting or in any
<br />assembly whose members are not responsible to a constituency.
<br />
<br />*It should not be used in a mass meeting or in any assembly whose members are not responsible to a constituency.
<br />
<br />---Are we responsible to a constituency? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe we are.
<br />
<br />Ordering a Roll-Call Vote. In a representative body, if there is no legal or constitutional provision specifying the size of
<br />the minority that can order a roll-call vote, the body should adopt a rule fixing the size of such a minority—for
<br />example, one fifth of those present, as in Congress, or some other portion of those present that is less than a majority. In
<br />the absence of such a special rule, majority vote is required to order the taking of a vote by roll call—in which case a
<br />motion to do so is likely to be useless, since its purpose is to force the majority to go on record. In local societies having
<br />a large membership but relatively small attendance at meetings, a motion to take a vote by roll call is generally dilatory.
<br />It is in order, as one of the Motions Relating to Methods of Voting, however, to move “that a signed ballot be taken by
<br />tellers;” and if such a vote is ordered, the voter writes “yes” or “no” on the ballot and signs it. The votes can be
<br />recorded in the minutes just as a roll call would be, but the names of all members need not be called. A roll-call vote
<br />cannot be ordered in committee of the whole.
<br />
<br />*In the absence of such a special rule, majority vote is required to order the taking of a vote by roll call—in which case a
<br />motion to do so is likely to be useless, since its purpose is to force the majority to go on record.
<br />
<br />---We do not have a special rule for the taking of roll-call votes, therefore a majority vote is required to order the taking of a
<br />vote by roll call.
<br />---I find the phrase: “in which case a motion to do so is likely to be useless, since its purpose is to force the majority to go on
<br />record,” to be highly opinionated concerning the vote we took tonight by roll-call. I find it quite clear that the person who
<br />requested a roll-call vote on this issue, called it for other reasons not germane to the question at hand, considering the vote was
<br />close and contentious for reasons not including the intent of the meeting that was so motioned to.
<br />
<br />*In local societies having a large membership but relatively small attendance at meetings, a motion to take a vote by roll call is
<br />generally dilatory.
<br />
<br />---“a motion to take a vote by roll-call is generally dilatory.” Clearly the efforts of the person who requested the roll-call vote
<br />was not to be dilatory, so then, I ask, “Why was a roll-call vote requested?”
<br />
<br />In addition, according to our by-laws: “The votes on resolutions, unless unanimous, shall state the number of “ayes,” “nays,”
<br />and “abstentions.” When a quorum is in attendance, action may be taken by the Commission upon a vote of the majority of the
<br />members present unless another provision of these by-laws specifically states otherwise.”
<br />
<br />Therefore, considering that this motion was not even a resolution, the mere number of “ayes”, “nays”, and “abstentions” need
<br />not be recorded, much less a roll-call vote. I will accept, however, the secretary’s request of a show of hands on close votes, as
<br />this was. I do, however, take exception to a roll-call vote on this especially without a motion formally requested and approved
<br />by the assembly for such an action.
<br />
<br />Thank you,
<br />Michele Sandback
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