If there is no second to a motion, what happens to the motion?

If there is no second to a motion, what happens to the motion?

• A. Lost
• B. Carried
• C. Debated
• D. Tabled

Answer: (A)

In this situation, the key idea is that a motion must be seconded to proceed. A second shows that at least one other member is willing to consider the proposal, so the group can move to debate and potentially vote on it. If no one seconds the motion, there isn’t enough support to take it up, so the motion dies on the spot. The chair would typically state that the motion fails for lack of a second. Because the process hasn’t even begun, it isn’t debated, voted on, or tabled. Debating or carrying requires a second to get the discussion started and then a decision by the group. Tabbing is a separate action that also depends on a motion to table being properly made and seconded, which isn’t the case here.

In this situation, the key idea is that a motion must be seconded to proceed. A second shows that at least one other member is willing to consider the proposal, so the group can move to debate and potentially vote on it. If no one seconds the motion, there isn’t enough support to take it up, so the motion dies on the spot. The chair would typically state that the motion fails for lack of a second.

Because the process hasn’t even begun, it isn’t debated, voted on, or tabled. Debating or carrying requires a second to get the discussion started and then a decision by the group. Tabbing is a separate action that also depends on a motion to table being properly made and seconded, which isn’t the case here.