View All Articles

Robert's Rules Parliamentary Procedure Motions Chart

The motions below are listed in order of precedence. A motion can be introduced if it is higher on the chart than the pending motion.

§ You Want: You Say: Interrupt? 2nd? Debate? Amend? Vote?
§21 Close meeting I move to adjourn No Yes No No Majority
§20 Take break I move to recess for... No Yes No Yes Majority
§19 Register complaint I rise to a question of privilege Yes No No No None
§18 Make follow agenda I call for the orders of the day Yes No No No None
§17 Lay aside temporarily I move to lay the question on the table No Yes No No Majority
§16 Close debate I move the previous question No Yes No No 2/3
§15 Limit or extend debate I move that debate be limited to... No Yes No Yes 2/3
§14 Postpone to a certain time I move to postpone the motion to... No Yes Yes Yes Majority
§13 Refer to committee I move to refer the motion to... No Yes Yes Yes Majority
§12 Modify wording of motion I move to amend the motion by... No Yes Yes Yes Majority
§11 Kill main motion I move that the motion be postponed indefinitely No Yes Yes No Majority
§10 Bring business before assembly
(a main motion)
I move that
[or "to"]...
No Yes Yes Yes Majority

Incidental Motions - no order of precedence. Arise incidentally and are decided immediately.

§ You Want: You Say: Interrupt? 2nd? Debate? Amend? Vote?
§23 Enforce rules Point of Order Yes No No No None
§24 Submit matter to assembly I appeal from the decision of the chair Yes Yes Varies No Majority
§25 Suspend rules I move to suspend the rules No Yes No No 2/3
§26 Avoid main motion altogether I object to the consideration of the question Yes No No No 2/3
§27 Divide motion I move to divide the question No Yes No Yes Majority
§29 Demand a rising vote Division Yes No No No None
§33 Parliamentary law question Parliamentary inquiry Yes No No No None
§33 Request for information Request for information Yes No No No None

Motions That Bring a Question Again Before the Assembly - no order of precedence. Introduce only when nothing else is pending.

§ You Want: You Say: Interrupt? 2nd? Debate? Amend? Vote?
§34 Take matter from table I move to take from the table... No Yes No No Majority
§35 Cancel previous action I move to rescind... No Yes Yes Yes 2/3 or Majority with notice
§37 Reconsider motion I move to reconsider... No Yes Varies No Majority

PDF of Robert's Rules of Order Motions Guide

Charts and articles are intended to provide general information on parliamentary procedure and are not legal advice or a legal opinion.