Proposal 2024-03 -

Replacing "voice vote" with "rising vote" and amending the requirements for a record vote

Current Language:

Article III, Membership, Voting and Dues:

Section C. Voting: Each certified member of this organization shall be entitled to one (1) vote at any annual or special meeting, provided that the person was a certified member as of the established record date of such meeting, which shall be thirty (30) days before such meeting, or in the case of the annual conference and convention, the opening session. In addition, official delegates from affiliates shall cast the number of votes to which their organization is entitled as provided in the Bylaws. Voting on all issues at any meeting shall be conducted in one (1) of two (2) ways: voice vote or record vote. For voice votes, “in person” attendees shall vote via oral ayes and nays; virtual attendees shall cast votes by any protocol provided for by the adopted remote meeting platform or client program. A record vote shall be composed of two (2) distinct components: a secret ballot vote conducted in the manner prescribed in the bylaws, and a roll call of affiliates by which official affiliate delegates shall announce the votes of their respective organizations. If a voice vote on any issue, in the opinion of the presiding officer, is too close to determine the result, the presiding officer shall have the discretion to order a record vote on the issue. Contested elections and the disposition of main motions on proposed constitutional and/or bylaw amendments must be conducted via record vote. A record vote on any issue shall also be ordered by the presiding officer if any twenty-five (25) certified voting members identify themselves either from the floor of the conference and convention or via the adopted remote meeting platform or client program and request a record vote.

Proposed Revision:

C. Voting:

1. Each certified member of this organization shall be entitled to one (1) vote at any annual or special meeting, provided that the person was a certified member as of the established record date of such meeting, which shall be thirty (30) days before such meeting, or in the case of the annual conference and convention, the opening session. In the case of record votes, official delegates from affiliates shall cast the number of votes to which their organizations are entitled as provided for in the Bylaws.
2. Voting on all issues at any meeting shall be conducted in one (1) of two (2) ways: rising vote or record vote. For rising votes, “in person” attendees shall stand or raise their hands to indicate their vote; virtual attendees shall cast votes by any protocol provided for by the adopted remote meeting platform or client program. A record vote shall be composed of two (2) distinct components: a secret ballot vote conducted in the manner prescribed in the bylaws, and a roll call of affiliates by which official affiliate delegates shall announce the votes of their respective organizations.
3. Contested elections and the disposition of main motions on proposed constitutional and/or bylaw amendments must be conducted via record vote. In all other cases, record votes shall only be in order: (1), if the margin between the prevailing side and losing side of a rising vote is less than twenty (20) percent, and twenty-five (25) percent or more of those voting on the losing side request it, or, (2), if, in the judgement of the presiding officer, any uncertainty in the above-stated margin is sufficient to warrant it.

Discussion

The committee considers that with the hybrid convention format and consequent need to integrate vote counts from both the floor of the convention and Zoom, the continued use of voice votes is untenable. The term "rising vote" is used in proposed Article III(C)(2) as that is the recognized term to indicate a counted vote according to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, 12th Edition. The committee also considers that the altered requirements applicable to record votes as proposed in Article III(C)(3) are necessary due to the time constraints imposed by the hybrid convention format.

Find out more at https://acb-business.pinecast.co