1. What vote is required to adopt the motion to table?
A majority vote is required to adopt the motion to table, officially called the motion to Lay on the Table.
2. Is the motion to table debatable?
No. The motion to table is not debatable. After the motion to table has been seconded, the Chair may inquire the reason for tabling the motion and then should take a vote.
3. Does the motion to table kill the main motion?
No. The motion to table does not kill the main motion. First, it would not be fair to eliminate a motion without opportunity for some debate, and the motion to table is not debatable.
Second, there is a designated way to kill a motion. If you really feel the main motion is significantly problematic and the group should not take a vote on it, you should move to postpone the motion indefinitely.
One extra note… Once a main motion has been “tabled,” the motion to Take from the Table may be made to bring that main motion before the group again.
4. When is it permissible to make a motion to table?
The motion to table is only allowed in an emergency—some kind of situation where, during consideration of a main motion, an interruption of significance happens or there is a legitimately urgent issue that needs to be discussed first. These are permissible reasons to pause and table a main motion.
5. Is tabling a motion the same as postponing a motion to a later time or a different meeting?
No. A motion to table does not include any guaranteed time when the main motion will come back into play and be considered again.
If you want to make sure that a motion comes back to the floor for consideration by the group, use the motion to Postpone to a Specific Time.
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