This is a quick guide on how to use the motion to Amend.
The Skinny
- What motion should you use to modify the wording of a pending motion?
Use the motion to Amend.
- What should you say?
Say one of the following:- “I move to amend by striking [state the exact words from the pending motion which you would like removed].”
- “I move to amend by inserting [state the exact words you would like to add to the pending motion, indicating where they would be added].”
- “I move to amend by striking [state the exact words you would like removed from the pending motion] and inserting [state the exact words you would like to add in place of the words removed].”
- When can you make this motion?
You can make this motion anytime that the following other motions are not on the floor: Refer to Committee, Postpone to a Specific Time, Limit or Extend Limits on Debate, Previous Question, 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.
- Does someone have to say, “Second” after this motion is proposed?
Yes.
- Can people debate the pros and cons of this motion?
Yes. You can debate the pros and cons of the amendment as long as the motion to which the amendment is being applied is also debatable.
- Can this motion be amended?
Yes. You can amend an amendment in the same way that you can amend a main motion—by striking, by inserting, or by striking and inserting.
- How many votes does this motion need to pass?
Majority. More than half of the members present and voting must vote to amend. A majority is all that is required for the motion to amend, regardless of the vote required on the motion that is being amended.
An Example
- The group is considering a main motion to sponsor a golf tournament and give the funds to the Red Cross and a local homeless shelter.
- Member B thinks that the organization should hold a 5K instead of a golf tournament.
- Member B seeks recognition by the Chair, and once recognized, says, “I move to amend by striking “golf tournament” and inserting “5K.”
- Another member says, “Second.”
- The Chair asks if there is any discussion on the motion to amend.
- Following discussion, the Chair takes a vote on the motion to amend.
- If at least a majority of the members present and voting vote in the affirmative, then the motion is amended and now reads that the group sponsor a 5K and give the funds to the Red Cross and a local homeless shelter. If at least a majority do not vote in the affirmative, then the amendment is defeated and the motion reads as it was initially proposed, with the group sponsoring a golf tournament.
A Second Example
- The group is considering a main motion to sponsor a golf tournament and give the funds to the Red Cross and a local homeless shelter.
- Member B thinks that the organization should hold a 5K instead of a golf tournament.
- Member B seeks recognition by the Chair, and once recognized, says, “I move to amend by striking “golf tournament” and inserting “5K.”
- Another member says, “Second.”
- The Chair asks if there is any discussion on the motion to amend.
- Member C doesn’t like running and thinks that the organization should sponsor a chili cookoff instead of a 5K.
- Member C seeks recognition by the Chair, and once recognized, says, “I move to amend the amendment by striking “5K” and inserting “chili cookoff.”
- Another member says, “Second.”
- Following discussion, the Chair takes a vote on the motion to amend the amendment (also known as a secondary amendment).
- If at least a majority of the members present and voting vote in the affirmative, then the first amendment is amended and now reads that the group sponsor a chili cookoff and give the funds to the Red Cross and a local homeless shelter. If at least a majority do not vote in the affirmative, then the amendment to the first amendment is defeated and the amendments reads as it was initially proposed, to strike “golf tournament” and insert “5K.”
- Next, the Chair asks for any further discussion on the amendment—either as amended or as originally proposed—and then he takes a vote on the amendment.
- If at least a majority of the members present and voting vote in the affirmative, then the main motion is amended and now reads that the group sponsor a 5K and give the funds to the Red Cross and a local homeless shelter. If at least a majority do not vote in the affirmative, then the amendment is defeated and the motion reads as it was initially proposed, with the group sponsoring a golf tournament.
What the Pros Know
- A vote on the motion to amend does not adopt the motion that was amended. That main motion still needs to be voted on separately in its amended form.
- A member’s vote in favor of or in opposition to a motion to amend does not obligate him to vote in a certain way on the main motion that was amended.
- An amendment must be germane (relevant) to the motion that it proposes to amend. A new subject cannot be introduced under the pretext of an amendment.
- Amending a main motion so that it is effectively a rejection of the motion as originally proposed is not allowed because the same approach can be accomplished just by voting “no” on the original main motion. In other words, if a main motion proposes an action, you may not try to amend it by inserting the word “not.” If you don’t want the group to take the action proposed in the main motion, just vote “no”—don’t amend the motion.
Where to Learn More
