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Rosenberg'S 2ules of Order: Simple Parliamentary P�rocedure for the 21st Cenntry be placed on `�hofd.'� The motion may concain a speci6c time in which t6e item can come bac{c �o the body: "I move we table this item unul our regu- lar meecing in Occober." Or the motion may concain no specific time for che recurn of che item, in which case a motion to take the item off the �able and bring it back co �he body will have to be taken at a future meering. A motion to table an item (or to bri.ng ir back to the bady) requires a simple inajoriry vote. A motion to Iimit debate. The mos� common form of this motion is to say: "I n�ove rhe previous qiies�iod' or "[ move the question" or "I call for the question." When a�nember of the body makes such a mocian, �he member is really sa��ing: `�I�ve had enough debate. Let's gec on widi che vote." Wheai such a morion is made, the chair should ask for a second to the mocion, stop debate, and vote on [he motion to limir debaie. The motion to limit debate requires a «vo-thirds vo�e of the body. Note that a morion ta limit debate cauld include a time limit. For example: "] move we limi� debate on this agenda icem to I5 minures." Even in ehis forma�, the the motion fails. If one member is ab- seni and rhe vote is 3-3, rhe motion still fails. All motions require a siinple majoriry, but there are a fe�v exceptions. The excepcions occur �vhen the body is �aking an aaion tha� effectively curs off rhe ability nF a minotiry of che body to take an action or discuss an item. These extraordinary motions require a t�vo-rhirds majority (a super-majoriry>) to �ass: Motion to Iimit debate. Wf�echer a member says, "i move the previous 9uestion,'� "I move the question," "I call for che question" or "[ move ro limit debace," it all amouncs to an atcempc co cut off the ability of the minoriry to dis- cuss a❑ iiem, and it requires a ewo-chirds vote to pass. Motion to close nominations. When choosing officers of the body, such as the dtair, nominations are in order either from a nominating cammiitee or from the floor of the body. A rs-iotion ro close nominations effectiveky cuts off the right of the minority co nominate officers, and ic requires a ni�o-thirds vote to pass. If you are running the British Parliament, Ro�ert's Rules of Order is a dandy and quite useful handbook. motion to limit deba�e requires a nvo- thirds vote of the boay. A si�nilar mot- ioi� is a motio�i to object to consideration ofmi item. This motion is no[ debarable, and if passed, predudes �he bady from even considering an irem on the agenda. It also requires a two-thirds vore. Majority and Super-Majority Votes In a democracy, decisions are made �vith a sin3ple majority vore. A cie vote means the motian fails. So in a seven-member bod}', a vote oE 4-3 passes the motion. A vore of 3-3 �vith one abstenrion means 4 I.eague of California Cities Motion Co object to ti�e consideration of a quesCion, Normally, such a moiion is unnecessary, because che objecrio�able irem can be tabled or defeated straighc up. However, when members of a hody do not even �vaiir aiti iiem o�1 �he agenda to be considered, rhen s�ch a motion is in order. It is iiot debarable, aiid ic requires a nvo-ihirds vote to pass. Motion to suspend the rules. This motion is debatable, but requires a ttivo- thirds vote to pass. If the bady has its own rules of order, conduct or proce- dure, this morion allo�vs the body to sus- pend the rules for a particular purpose. For example, the body (a private club) might have a rule proliibitiiig rhe atten- dance at meetings by non-club mem- bers. A motion ca suspend che rules would be i� order to allo�v a non-club me�nber to a«end a meeting of the club on a par�icular date or on a par�icular agenda item. The Motion to Reconsider There is a special and unique motion that requires a bi� of explanation all b}' itself: che motion �o reconsider. A�enet of parliamentary procedure is finaliry. Afcer vigorous discussion, debate and a vo[e, Ehere must be some closure ro the issue. And so, afcer a vo�e is taken, the matter is deemed closed, subject only �o reopening if a proper motion to reconsider is made. A motion to rrtonsider requires a majoriry vote to pass, but there are nvo special rules chat apply only ro the motion ro reconsider. Firsr is �he mac�ee of �iming. A motion ro reconsider must be made a� the meec- ing where the item H�as first voied upon or at the very next meeting of the bod}'. A mocion to reconsider made ai a later time is untimely. (The body, ha�vever, ca�i al�vays voxe to suspeitid the rules and, by a two-thirds majoriry, allow a motion ro reconsider to be made at a�iother time.} Second, a motioF� to reconsider may be made only by certain men3bers of dle bod}'. Accordingly, a niotio�i ro recon- sider may be made oi�ly by a member who voted in the majority on the origi- nal n�otion. If such a member has a change of heart, 6e or she may niake the motion to reconsider (any otlier mem- ber of the bady may second the motion}. lf a �iember who vored in tbe minority seeks [o make the motion to reconsider, ic must be ruled our oForder. The pur- pose of cliis rule is finaliry. If a member of the miiioriry could make a morioii co reconsider, chen the irem could be brought back to che body again and again, which would deFeat �he purpose of finaliry.