Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Seconding a Motion

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

SECONDING A MOTION.

25. After a motion has been made it should have the support of another member (to assure the assembly it has more than one supporter, and is worthy of consideration), who rises in his place and without waiting for recognition says: “I second the motion.” There are many reasons why a member should rise in seconding a motion. Among these reasons may be mentioned that it bars a non-member from seconding a motion, and also where a record is kept of those who second as well as of as of those who make motions, it enable the secretary to see who seconds the motion.

26. In many assemblies too much importance is placed on the formality of seconding motions. This is contrary to the principle that every member has a right introduce any proper business and gave it acted upon by the assembly. Furthermore, if the presiding officer is a member of the assembly, he has a right to second it, and if the motion is put without a second he is understood to second it. If, however, a formal second is insisted upon, the chair may inquire if the motion is seconded before stating it to the assembly, but it is not his duty to inquire if the motion is seconded. However, if a second is insisted upon, the motion is not before the assembly for consideration or debate until it has been seconded and stated to the assembly by the presiding officer. Until that time in relation to it, or debate it, or to ask the floor for either purpose. Until the presiding officer has stated it to the assembly, the member offering the motion may modify it, or, with the consent of the seconder, he may even withdraw it entirely. When the mover modifies his motion, the member who seconded it may withdraw his second. On the other hand, after it has been stated by the chair, the question is in the possession of the assembly to adopt, postpone, modify, reject or suppress according to its pleasure, and cannot be withdrawn except by unanimous consent of the assembly, or by a motion and vote granting leave to withdraw (37), nor can it be modified except by unanimous consent, or by the regular process of amendment (106). The proposition thus before the assembly is called the “main or principal question.”