Deepaksuhag: Created an enlightening write-up.

2022-02-20T02:41:03Z

Created an enlightening write-up.

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{{Short description|Manner of voting in parliamentary bodies}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
In [[parliamentary procedure]], a '''voice vote''' (from the Latin ''viva voce'', meaning "by live voice") or '''acclamation''' is a [[Voting methods in deliberative assemblies|voting method in deliberative assemblies]] (such as [[legislature]]s) in which a group [[vote]] is taken on a topic or [[Motion (parliamentary procedure)|motion]] by responding vocally.

The voice vote is considered the simplest and quickest of voting methods used by [[Deliberative assembly|deliberative assemblies]]. The [[Chair (official)|presiding officer or chair]] of the assembly will put the question to the assembly, asking first for all those in favor of the motion to indicate so orally ("aye" or "yea"), and then ask second all those opposed to the motion to indicate so verbally ("no" or "nay").<ref>Gregory Koger, ''Filibustering: A Political History of Obstruction in the House and Senate'' (2010), University of Chicago Press, p. 18.</ref><ref>Hartley R. Nathan, ''Nathan's Company Meetings Including Rules of Order'' (6th ed. 2005), CCH Canadian.</ref> The chair will then make an estimate of the count on each side and state what they believe the result to be.

Voice votes have inherent disadvantages and the method has major shortfalls in close contests. The volume of the voices are typically only estimated and not actually measured with [[sound level meter]]s, giving a chair enough [[plausible deniability]] to falsify the result if they disagree with it; even if such a vote can be objectively quantified in terms of [[decibel]]s, the method gives an unfair advantage to those who have louder voices. The need to make an audible signal also compromises any situation in which a [[secret ballot]] may be desired. The method is suitable in most cases where unanimity is required. If there is any doubt as to the outcome, any member of the assembly may request another vote by a method such as [[division of the assembly]] (a standing or rising vote), or a [[roll call vote]]. Voice votes are usually not [[recorded vote|recorded]], but sometimes are.

Voice votes are also used in non-governmental settings, such as [[Battle of the Bands|battles of the bands]] and [[spectator sport]]s where a [[most valuable player]], [[Man of the Match]] or Best in Show award is chosen by the audience.

== Ancient Greece ==
Methods of voice voting were employed in [[ancient Greece]] as early as seventh century BC. The election of the members of the [[Gerousia]], [[Sparta]]'s Council of Elders, was conducted by shouting.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Handbook on Approval Voting|url=https://archive.org/details/handbookonapprov00lasl|url-access=limited|last=Girard|first=Charles|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|isbn=9783642028380|editor-last=Laslier|editor-first=Jean-François|series=Studies in Choice and Welfare|pages=[https://archive.org/details/handbookonapprov00lasl/page/n33 15]–17|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-02839-7_2|editor-last2=Sanver|editor-first2=M. Remzi|chapter = Acclamation Voting in Sparta: An Early Use of Approval Voting|s2cid=150891267 }}</ref> From the assembly, few persons were selected and locked up in a room close to the election, so that they could only hear the noise of the audience, but not see the candidate put to vote. The candidates were then presented to the assembly one after another without speaking a word. The favor of the assembly towards one candidate was assessed by the selected persons who established a ranking of all candidates with respect to the loudness of the assembly. Those candidates who have received the most and loudest acclamations were eventually elected.

==Australia==
Members vote by saying "aye" or "no", and the Speaker of the House (or President of the Senate) judges the result. If two or more members demand a recorded vote, one must be held.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/voting-in-the-chambers.html |title=Voting in the Chambers {{!}} Learning {{!}} Parliamentary Education Office (vote,division,voting,parliament,chamber) |website=www.peo.gov.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211202029/http://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/voting-in-the-chambers.html |archive-date=2014-02-11}} </ref>

==Canada==
Members vote by saying "yea" or "nay", and the Speaker judges the mood of the House. If five or more members demand a recorded vote, one must be held.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcommons.ca/About/Compendium/DebateandVoting/c_d_voicevotes-e.htm|title=Voice Votes - Compendium of Procedure - House of Commons|website=www.ourcommons.ca}}</ref>

==New Zealand==
The initial decision on any question is by voice vote, members saying "aye" or "no", and the Speaker declaring which side has won. Members of the losing side (or abstainers), but not supporters of the side declared to have won, are entitled to demand a formal test of opinion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/parliamentary-practice-in-new-zealand/chapter-17-voting/|title=Chapter 17 Voting - New Zealand Parliament|website=www.parliament.nz}}</ref>

==India==
The voice vote (ध्वनि मत) is used in the [[Lok Sabha]], the [[Rajya Sabha]]<ref>{{cite news| title=Ayes vs Noes: How voice voting in Parliament works|
url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/ayes-vs-noes-how-voice-voting-in-parliament-works-5871181.html | website=MoneyControl| date=22 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Parliament voting: Ayes vs noes, and road from manual to electronic recording
|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/parliament-voting-ayes-vs-noes-and-road-from-manual-to-electronic-recording-5797834/}}</ref> and state assemblies to vote for certain resolutions. It is used when there is a wide agreement on issues and in some cases where the house is not in order. It was used during the formation of the Indian state of [[Telangana]] in 2014.

On 20 September 2020, the Rajya Sabha passed the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill by voice vote, wherein the opposition parties alleged that the Deputy Speaker of the Rajya Sabha has abused the provision of the voice vote<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shekhar|first=Anubhav|title=How Voting to Pass Farm Bills Was a Vote to Silence the Voices|url=https://www.theleaflet.in/how-voting-to-pass-farm-bills-was-a-vote-to-silence-the-voices/|url-status=live|website=The Leaflet}}</ref> and declared both the bills to be passed despite the opposition parties asking for [[Division of the assembly|division of the votes]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dinesh |first1=Singh Rawat |title=Explained: The Global Democratic Experience of Voting by The Voice Vote |url=https://abclive.in/explained-the-global-democratic-experience-of-voting-by-the-voice-vote/ |access-date=28 September 2020 |issue=Online |publisher=ABC Live India}}</ref>

==United Kingdom==
A voice vote is held to decide if a bill can progress through to the next stage.

[[Speaker (politics)#United Kingdom|The Speaker of the House of Commons]] will then propose the question by saying, for example (second reading): "The Question is, that the Bill be now read a second time". The Speaker then invites supporters of the bill to say "aye" and then opponents say "no": "As many as are of that opinion say 'aye' [supporters say 'aye'], of the contrary 'no' [opponents say 'no']". In what is known as ''collecting the voices'' the Speaker makes a judgement as to the louder cry. A clear majority either way will prompt the response "I think the Ayes/Noes have it. The Ayes/Noes have it!" (this can be forced to a [[Division (vote)|division]] by continued cries either way). If the result is at all in doubt a division will be called and the speaker will say "Division, Clear the Lobbies!"

In the [[House of Lords]], the [[Lord Speaker]] will propose the question by saying, for example (second reading): "The Question is, that the Bill be now read a second time". The Lord Speaker then does similarly to the Commons Speaker, by saying, "As many as are of that opinion say 'Content' [supporters say 'Content'] and of the contrary 'Not Content' [opponents say 'Not Content]." The Lord Speaker then decides. In the result of a division, the Lord Speaker will say "Division. Clear the Bar".

==United States==
''[[Robert's Rules of Order|Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised]]'' (11th edition) provides that:
{{blockquote|A vote by voice is the regular method of voting on any motion that does not require more than a majority vote for its adoption. In taking a voice vote, the chair puts the question by saying, "The question is on the adoption of the motion to [or "that"] ... [repeating or clearly identifying the motion]. Those in favor of the motion, say ''aye''. [Pausing for response,] Those opposed, say ''no''." (Alternative forms are: "All those in favor..."; "All in favor..."; or the wording formerly prescribed by [[United States Congress|Congress]], "As many as are in favor...") In the case of a [[Resolution (law)|resolution]], the question may be put as follows: "The question is on the adoption of the following resolution: [reading it]. Those in favor of adopting the resolution that was just read, say ''aye''...Those opposed, say ''no''." If the question has been read very recently and there appears no desire to have it read again, the chair may use this form: "The question is on the adoption of the resolution last read. "Those in favor of adopting the resolution, say ''aye''...Those opposed, say ''no''."<ref>{{Cite book|title = Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised|last = Robert|first = Henry M.|publisher = Da Capo Press|year = 2011|isbn = 978-0-306-82020-5|location = Philadelphia, PA|pages = 45–46|edition = 11th|display-authors = etal}}</ref>}}

In Congress, "the vast majority of actions decided by a voice vote" are ones for which "a strong or even overwhelming majority favors one side," or even [[unanimous consent]]. Members can request a [[division of the assembly]] (a rising vote, where each sides rise in turn to be counted), and one-fifth of members can demand a [[recorded vote]] on any question, after the chair announces the result of a voice vote.<ref>Mark A. Smith, ''American Business and Political Power: Public Opinion, Elections, and Democracy'' (2000), University of Chicago Press, pp. 65-68.</ref>

It is estimated that more than 95 percent of the resolutions passed by [[State legislature (United States)|state legislatures]] are passed by a unanimous voice vote, many without discussion; this is because resolutions are often on routine, noncontroversial matters, such as commemorating important events or recognizing groups.<ref>Thomas H. Little and David B. Ogle, ''The Legislative Branch of State Government: People, Process, and Politics'' (2006), ABC CLIO, pp. 43-44.</ref>

==Other methods==
* [[Humming]] is used as a voice vote method at the [[IETF|IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)]] to estimate the participants' positions on some issues.<ref>{{Cite journal
| url = https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7282
| title = On Consensus and Humming in the IETF
| last = Resnick
| first = Pete
| website = tools.ietf.org
| date = June 2014
| doi = 10.17487/RFC7282
| access-date = 2016-02-25
}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Voting methods in deliberative assemblies]]
* [[Acclamation]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Voice Vote}}
[[Category:Parliamentary procedure]]

[[sv:Acklamation]]

Voice vote - Revision history

Deepaksuhag: Created an enlightening write-up.