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Here are some examples of the more unusual things that sometimes occur when a division is held in the House.
What happens if... |
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…only one member votes for the ayes or noes? The Chair stops the division and immediately announces the result to the House. The member may ask for his/her opposition to be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
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| · | …the votes for the ayes and noes are equal? The Chair then has a casting vote. This is the only time the Chair can vote in the House. The Chair may give reasons and have them recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
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| · | …there is an error made when counting the members? If the number of votes counted in a division later prove to be wrong, the Chair will make an announcement to the House and direct the Clerk to correct the numbers recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. If there is confusion about the result of a division, the Chair will call for another division.
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| · | …a member is unable to attend the division? If a member expects to be absent during a division an informal arrangement between parties called pairing can be used. Pairing allows a member to miss a division by arranging for a member on the other side of the House not to vote as well. For example, an opposition member would pair with a government member, maintaining the relative voting strength of both sides. Party whips arrange pairing and a book is kept in the Chamber to record the pairs. |
< Personal Vote : Return to Fact Sheet 32 Index
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