Inparliamentary procedure, avoice vote (from the Latinviva voce, meaning "by live voice") oracclamation is avoting method in deliberative assemblies (such aslegislatures) in which a groupvote is taken on a topic ormotion by responding vocally.
Despite not being the same thing, voice votes and votes by viva voce are often confused because they have the same Latin roots. Voice votes gather the vocal response of the full assembly at once whereas viva voce are often done by roll call and record the response and name of the individual voters.[citation needed]
The voice vote is considered the simplest and quickest of voting methods used bydeliberative assemblies. Thepresiding 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").[1][2] 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 is typically only estimated and not actually measured withsound level meters, giving a chair enoughplausible deniability to falsify the result if they disagree with it; even if such a vote can be objectively quantified in terms ofdecibels, 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 asecret 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 asdivision of the assembly (a standing or rising vote), or aroll call vote. Voice votes are usually notrecorded, but sometimes are.
Voice votes are also used in non-governmental settings, such asbattles of the bands andspectator sports where amost valuable player,Man of the Match or Best in Show award is chosen by the audience.
Methods of voice voting were employed inancient Greece as early as seventh century BC. The election of the members of theGerousia,Sparta's Council of Elders, was conducted by shouting.[3] 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.
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, known as adivision, one must be held.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
The voice vote (ध्वनि मत) is used in theLok Sabha, theRajya Sabha[7][8] 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 ofTelangana in 2014.
A voice vote is held to decide if a bill can progress through to the next stage.
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 ascollecting 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 adivision 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 theHouse of Lords, theLord 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".
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (11th edition) provides that:
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, sayaye. [Pausing for response,] Those opposed, sayno." (Alternative forms are: "All those in favor..."; "All in favor..."; or the wording formerly prescribed byCongress, "As many as are in favor...") In the case of aresolution, 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, sayaye...Those opposed, sayno." 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, sayaye...Those opposed, sayno."[9]
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 evenunanimous consent. Members can request adivision of the assembly (a rising vote, where each sides rise in turn to be counted), and one-fifth of members can demand arecorded vote on any question, after the chair announces the result of a voice vote.[10]
It is estimated that more than 95 percent of the resolutions passed bystate 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.[11]