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Does a member who seconds a motion have to vote in favor of it?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

No, a member who seconds a motion is not required to vote in favor of it; seconding a motion simply means the individual wants the motion to be discussed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether a member who seconds a motion must vote in favor of it falls within the realm of procedural rules in legislative bodies. In general parliamentary procedure, seconding a motion merely means that the person would like to see the motion discussed; it is not a commitment to vote in favor. Each member of a legislative body may vote as they see fit, regardless of whether they seconded a motion or not. The voting procedures and requirements for a motion to pass, such as whether a supermajority or just a simple majority is needed, can vary with different types of motions and organizational rules.

For example, in the United States Senate, a cloture motion to end a filibuster requires a supermajority of 60 votes to pass, reflecting a de facto supermajority requirement for most legislation to be enacted. This and various other rules underscore that seconding a motion does not equate to an endorsement of its passage, but rather an agreement to let it come under consideration.

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