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himself, but if more than one name is included in the resolution (though
a sense of delicacy would prevent this right being exercised, excepting
when it would change the vote) all are entitled to vote; for if this
were not so, a minority could control an assembly by including the names
of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring charges against
them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. When
there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his
vote for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote
will make a tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure.
Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when
required by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the
assembly has ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such
cases, appoints at least two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon
which each member, including the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect
to vote before the ballots are counted, he cannot then vote without the
permission of the assembly.] writes his vote; the votes are then
collected, counted by the tellers, and the result reported to the
Chairman, who announces
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it to the assembly. The Chairman announces the result of the vote, in
case of an election to office, in a manner similar to the following:
"The whole number of votes cast is --; the number necessary for an
election is --; Mr. A. received --; Mr. B. --; Mr. C. --. Mr. B. having
received the required number is elected --." Where there is only one
candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by
ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the
assembly for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is
necessary to ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make
a vote unanimous, it fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots
all blanks are ignored.
The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question
be taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has
the effect to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to
this country, and while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely
useful in ordinary societies. By the Constitution, one-fifth of the
members present can, in either house of Congress, order a vote to be
taken b
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