What vote is necessary for the motion to lay on the table?

What vote is necessary for the motion to lay on the table?

• A. Majority
• B. Two-thirds
• C. Plurality
• D. Unanimous

Answer: (A)

Listening for a moment to how motions manage the agenda, laying a motion on the table is a way to pause action on a matter. Adopting that pause requires a simple majority—more votes in favor than against, counting only those who actually vote. Abstentions don’t count toward the tally, and a tie means the motion fails. Because this is a routine procedural move, it doesn’t require a high threshold like two-thirds or unanimous consent. Later, the matter can be brought back up by a separate motion to take from the table.

Listening for a moment to how motions manage the agenda, laying a motion on the table is a way to pause action on a matter. Adopting that pause requires a simple majority—more votes in favor than against, counting only those who actually vote. Abstentions don’t count toward the tally, and a tie means the motion fails. Because this is a routine procedural move, it doesn’t require a high threshold like two-thirds or unanimous consent. Later, the matter can be brought back up by a separate motion to take from the table.