This is a quick guide on how to end debate and go directly to a vote on a motion.
The Skinny
- What motion should you use to end debate and vote immediately?
Use the motion called Previous Question.
- What should you say when making this motion?
- If you want to end debate and vote immediately on the motion that is currently on the floor, say this: “I move the Previous Question” or “I move to close debate.”
- If there is more than one motion on the floor, and you want to end debate and vote immediately on several of them, say this: “I move the Previous Question on [list the motions that you want to apply this motion to.]”
- When can you make this motion?
In general, you can make this motion anytime that certain other motions are not on the floor, including the motions to Lay on the Table, Call for the Orders of the Day, Raise a Question of Privilege, Recess, Adjourn, or Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn.
- Can you interrupt another speaker to make this motion?
No. You must be recognized first by the Chair. You cannot just yell out, “Question,” or “I call the question,” even though that’s a common practice.
- Does someone have to say, “Second” after this motion is proposed?
Yes.
- Can people debate the pros and cons of this motion?
No.
- Can this motion be amended?
Technically, no, but practically yes. If there are multiple motions are the floor, and someone says, “I move to close debate on the main motion,” or “I move to close debate on all pending motions,” you can adjust the motion to close debate by requesting that debate be closed on an alternate set of motions that are pending.
- How many votes does this motion need to pass?
At least two-thirds of the votes cast must be in favor of closing debate.
An Example
- A main motion is on the floor, and the group has been discussing it for a period of time.
- A member of the group is ready to end discussion and take a vote.
- The member seeks recognition by the Chair, and once recognized, says, “I move the Previous Question.”
- Another member says, “Second.”
- The Chair takes a vote on whether to close debate and vote immediately on the main motion. The Chair does not ask if there is discussion on the motion to close debate.
- If at least two-thirds vote in the affirmative, discussion ends immediately on the main motion, and the group then votes on the main motion. If less than two-thirds vote in the affirmative, discussion continues until the group is ready to vote.
A Second Example
- The following motions are on the floor:
- Main Motion
- Amend
- Refer to Committee
- Postpone to a Time Certain
- The group has been discussing whether to postpone the main motion to a specific time in the future, and prior to that discussion, the group had discussed whether to refer it to a committee or whether to amend it.
- A member of the group is ready to end discussion on everything but the main motion itself. She doesn’t want to amend the motion, and she does want to go ahead and vote on referring the motion to committee or postponing the issue to another time.
- The member seeks recognition by the Chair, and once recognized, says, “I move the Previous Question on all pending motions except for the main motion.”
- Another member says, “Second.”
- The Chair takes one vote on whether to close debate and vote immediately on all the pending motions—whether to postpone the main motion to a specific time in the future, whether to refer the main motion to a committee, and whether to amend the main motion.
- The Chair does not ask if there is discussion on the motion to close debate.
- If at least two-thirds vote in the affirmative, discussion ends immediately on the motion to postpone to a time certain, the motion to refer, and the motion to amend. Then, the Chair immediately proceeds to take a vote on each of these motions as needed. If less than two-thirds votes in the affirmative, discussion continues on the motion to postpone to a time certain until the group is ready to vote.
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