Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie?

Modified on Tue, 20 Feb 2024 at 05:23 PM

PROBUS Canada publishes Suggest Bylaws for Probus Clubs. Since Probus clubs operate independently, these bylaws are indeed suggested and not mandated.

In Section III.4 of these Suggested Bylaws it is stated that Each member on the Management Committee has one vote on the Committee ... which is in line with Robert's Rules of Order:

Is it true that the president can vote only to break a tie?

No, it is not true that the president can vote only to break a tie. If the president is a member of the voting body, he or she has exactly the same rights and privileges as all other members have, including the right to make motions, to speak in debate, and to vote on all questions. So, in meetings of a small board (where there are not more than about a dozen board members present), and in meetings of a committee, the presiding officer may exercise these rights and privileges as fully as any other member. However, the impartiality required of the presiding officer of any other type of assembly (especially a large one) precludes exercising the rights to make motions or speak in debate while presiding, and also requires refraining from voting except (i) when the vote is by ballot, or (ii) whenever his or her vote will affect the result.

When will the chair’s vote affect the result? On a vote that is not by ballot, if a majority vote is required and there is a tie, he or she may vote in the affirmative to cause the motion to prevail. If there is one more in the affirmative than in the negative, the chair can create a tie by voting in the negative to cause the motion to fail. Similarly, if a two-thirds vote is required, he or she may vote either to cause, or to block, attainment of the necessary two thirds. [RONR (12th ed.) 44:12–13; see also Table A, p. 206 of RONR In Brief.]

Source: https://robertsrules.com/frequently-asked-questions/#faqs