Question

Assume there are thirty-one members at a meeting who cast a vote on a main motion. Sixteen members vote in the affirmative and fifteen vote in the negative.

Explain how the chair's vote could alter the decision.

Answer 1

The chair's vote can alter the decision in a vote where thirty-one members are participating and the vote is closely split. A chair voting in the affirmative would pass the motion, whereas a vote in the negative would result in a tie and the motion would not carry.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a situation where there are thirty-one members casting their vote on a motion, with sixteen voting in the affirmative and fifteen in the negative, the chair's vote can be significant. Assuming the chair has not yet voted, if they vote in the affirmative, it would result in a simple majority, affirming the decision with a total of seventeen votes for the motion. However, if the chair votes in the negative, this would create a tie, resulting in the motion not passing, as a majority is required for the motion to carry. Majority rule states that more than 50 percent of the votes cast (50 percent + 1) are necessary for a proposal to be accepted. Hence, the chair's vote could be decisive in such closely contested scenarios.