Robert’s Rules of Order Revised > Subject Index > Page 86

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Henry M. Robert (1837–1923). Robert’s Rules of Order Revised. 1915.

Page 86

minority of one from exposing his vote, and this he must do if he votes openly in the negative, or objects to giving general consent. Nor can this result be accomplished by voting that the ballot of the assembly be cast by the secretary or any one else, as this does away with the essential principle of the ballot, namely, secrecy, and is a suspension of the by-law, and practically allows a viva voce vote. If it is desired to allow the suspension of a by-law that cannot be suspended under these rules, then it is necessary to provide in the by-laws for its suspension.

The Form of this motion is, “to suspend the rules that interfere with,” etc., stating the object of the suspension, as, “the consideration of a resolution on …,” which resolution is immediately offered after the rules are suspended, the chair recognizing for that purpose the member that moved to suspend the rules. Or, if it is desired to consider a question which has been laid on the table, and cannot be taken up at that time because that class of business is not then in order, or to consider a question that has been postponed to another time, or that is in the order of business for another time, then the motion may be made thus, “I move to suspend the rules and take up [or consider] the resolution …” When the object is not to take up a question for discussion but to adopt it without debate, the motion is made thus: “I move to suspend the

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