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In voting on a slate of officers in an organization operating under Robts Rules of Order....can the President, once the slate is read, ask the secretary to "cast one vote for the slate as presented"...then ask for those in favor and those opposed. Does there need to be a motion and then a 2nd to accept the slate? I am parlimentarian and secretary for this group. This was done today and I tried to find it in my class books and the new RRO book and the RRO for dummies and find no mention that an election can be done this way. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
Dear Carol,
Thanks for writing! The answer is "no." This cannot be done. You are taking the rights of members away to vote. You do not state whether the vote is to be by ballot which I am assuming it is for this to take place. See page 413, "Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised 11th edition." It states Whenever a vote is to be taken by ballot, it is out of order to move that one person--the secretary for example--cast the ballot of the assembly." If the assembly usually votes by voice, then the chair can ask if there is any objection to voting on the slate en bloc. If there is no objection, the chair can say "All those in favor of adopting the slate of officers say "aye." Those opposed say "no." Then announce the vote. If your bylaws state that the vote must be by ballot, then a ballot must be prepared for all the members to cast a vote. There are no short cuts
Cheerio,
Little Ben
Question submitted by Carol on February 25, 2016