House Voting Procedures Act

House Voting Procedures Act

An Act to formalise the procedures for voting in the House of Nobles on legislation, amendments and office-holders.

AUTHOR: Lord Vaerien Greyson, Baron of Greygrove SPONSORS: Lord Baldassar Greyson-Partiger, Baron of Daubaine

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

I Establishment of the Chairperson for Voting procedure, and relevant parameters of the office therein

1. When a vote is called to the floor, the Lord High Speaker shall assume the chair of the voting process, or shall delegate the chair to another voting member of the House of Nobles.

2. The Chairperson of the vote cannot vote unless breaking a tie that had occurred for the second time, as stipulated in section 11.8.

II Establishment of voting procedures regarding legislation and amendments to existing legislation before the House

1. The chairperson of the proceedings shall call for: “All in favor?” To invoke the opening of votes in favor of the petition in question before the House.

2. Voting members of the House may then respond either “Yea” or raise a hand to signify their favor in support of the petition.

3. The chairperson of the proceedings shall tally the number of voting members who responded “Yea” or raised their hand in support of the petition.

4. The chairperson shall then call for: “All opposed?”To invoke the opening of votes in opposition of the petition in question before the House.

5. Voting members of the House may then respond. “Nay” or raise a hand to signify their opposition to the petition.

6. The chairperson of the proceedings shall tally the number of members who responded “Nay” in opposition to the petition.

7. The chairperson shall then compare the total tallies of both “Nay” and “Aye” votes, and declare the higher number the victor.

8. In the event of a tie, a second vote must be held, restarting from section 1.1

9. In the event of a second tie, the tie breaking vote shall fall to the chairperson.

10. At any point, a voting member of the House is free to abstain from voting

III Short title and commencement

1. The short title of this act shall be the “House Voting Procedures Act”.

2.The provisions of this act shall come into force immediately.