Motions relating to methods of voting and the polls, in parliamentary procedure

Parliamentary procedure

Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...

, are incidental motion

Incidental motion

An incidental motion, in parliamentary procedure, is one of a category of motions that relate in varying ways to the main motion and other parliamentary motions.-Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised :...

s used to obtain a vote on a question in some form other than by voice or by division of the assembly; or to close or reopen the polls. For instance, a motion can be made to cast votes using black and white balls or a signed ballot

Signed ballot

A signed ballot is sometimes used as a substitute for a roll call vote. It allows the members' votes can be recorded in the minutes without the chair having to call the names of each member individually. A motion to use a signed ballot is one of the motions relating to methods of voting and the...

. These motions generally cannot be used to specify a voting system

Voting system

A voting system or electoral system is a method by which voters make a choice between options, often in an election or on a policy referendum....

 other than a majority vote, such as a plurality vote or preferential vote. That can only be done through a provision in the bylaws. Likewise, proxy voting

Proxy voting

Proxy voting has two forms: delegable voting and delegated voting, which are procedures for the delegation to another member of a voting body of that member's power to vote in his absence, and/or for the selection of additional representatives, as in the case with transitive proxies...

is generally prohibited, except in situations in which membership is transferable, as in stock corporations.