https://www.reddit.com/r/government/comments/42ucoa/what_does_it_mean_to_second_something/
created by opendoors1 on 26/01/2016 at 23:14 UTC*
4 upvotes, 4 top-level comments (showing 4)
I attended a village meeting the other day. Someone would say something and then someone else would say "second", and then move on.
Does it mean that they agree with what was said? Why are there no "thirds" and such?
Edit: Thanks for the answers!
Comment by ericjay at 27/01/2016 at 03:59 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
In deliberative bodies a second to a proposed motion is an indication that there is at least one person besides the mover that is interested in seeing the motion come before the meeting. It does not necessarily indicate that the seconder favors the motion.
The purpose of requiring a second is to prevent time being wasted by the assembly's having to dispose of a motion that only one person wants to see introduced. Hearing a second to a motion is guidance to the chair that he should state the question on the motion, thereby placing it before the assembly. It does not necessarily indicate that the seconder favors the motion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_(parliamentary_procedure[1])
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_(parliamentary_procedure
Comment by brjohns994 at 27/01/2016 at 01:52 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Yeah, they agree. Someone go ahead and second this notion.
Comment by bonafidebob at 27/01/2016 at 03:14 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Under some "rules of order" taking an action like calling a vote or ending the meetting requires a minimum of two members to want it. So one member will make a proposal which just sits there until someone else "seconds" it. This prevents a lone wolf from dominating, or having the group waste time discussing ideas that only one person cares about.
Un-seconded motions are ignored.
Comment by jdaskew at 27/01/2016 at 19:06 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
As other posters have stated, the "second" indicates that another member is interested in discussing a motion. It doesn't necessarily indicate support of the motion, it just signals a desire to bring it before the assembly. Without a second, the motion fails (an exception is a motion coming from committee - that doesn't usually need a second)
What caught my eye in your post is "someone else would say "second", and then move on." When someone seconds a motion, it should proceed to discussion/debate and then to a vote. If you see someone second a motion and then they move to a different topic, then they are not following procedure. If they treat the motion as having passed, then there is definitely something wrong! There has to be a vote.