Final answer:
A motion to reconsider can only be made by someone who voted with the winning side, promoting sincerity and preventing manipulation of the revoting process. Supermajority requirements apply to significant actions to ensure broader consensus. Different thresholds of majority are established based on the importance and impact of decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The motion to reconsider a decision in a legislative body can only be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side or the side that won the vote. This rule exists to prevent someone who opposed the original decision from manipulating a revote unless there's been a genuine change of opinion among the decision's initial supporters. It ensures that only those who were part of the majority can bring about a reconsideration, reflecting that they may have had a change of heart or new information has come to light that influenced the decision.
In a broader context, legislative voting rules can serve specific purposes. For example, a supermajority is often required for highly significant or impactful decisions, such as amending a constitution or overriding a presidential veto, as this creates a higher threshold that necessitates broader consensus. In contrast, a simple majority is sufficient for routine legislation, reflecting that decisions with less impact on the status quo require less agreement to enact.
Whether it's a motion to reconsider, a veto override, or the passing of major legislation, the underlying principle is that the more significant the legislation, the larger the consensus needed to validate its approval or reversal - be it a simple majority, a supermajority, or unanimous consent.