In parliamentary procedure, a voice vote (from the Latin viva voce, meaning "by live voice") or acclamation is a voting method in deliberative assemblies (such as legislatures) in which a group vote is taken on a topic or motion by responding vocally. Voice votes and votes by viva voce are often confused because they have the same Latin roots. A voice vote differs however from viva voce. 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.
The voice vote is considered the simplest and quickest of voting methods used by deliberative assemblies. The 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").[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 are typically only estimated and not actually measured with sound level meters, 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 decibels, 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, but sometimes are.
Voice votes are also used in non-governmental settings, such as battles of the bands and spectator sports where a most valuable player, Man of the Match or Best in Show award is chosen by the audience.
^Gregory Koger, Filibustering: A Political History of Obstruction in the House and Senate (2010), University of Chicago Press, p. 18.
^Hartley R. Nathan, Nathan's Company Meetings Including Rules of Order (6th ed. 2005), CCH Canadian.
In parliamentary procedure, a voicevote (from the Latin viva voce, meaning "by live voice") or acclamation is a voting method in deliberative assemblies...
voting on motions (formal proposals by a member or members of a deliberative assembly). The regular methods of voting in such bodies are a voicevote...
voting in such bodies are a voicevote, a rising vote, and a show of hands. Additional forms of voting include a recorded vote and balloting. Robert's Rules...
"The Voice is Not Enough" (or just "Not Enough"), aimed at a young demographic and targeting the "progressive no" vote, suggesting that the Voice would...
A motion or vote of no confidence (or the inverse, a motion of confidence and corresponding vote of confidence) is a formal expression by a deliberative...
social contexts. The most frequent type of acclamation is a voicevote, in which the voting group is asked who favors and who opposes the proposed candidate...
announces the result of the voicevote, but if their assessment is challenged by any member or the voicevote is unclear, a recorded vote known as a division...
appointed must vote, while a Member not then present may not. Furthermore, members must vote in accordance to their voicevotes. The voicevote is held as...
favorably reported her nomination by voicevote on November 5, 2009. The Senate confirmed her nomination by voicevote on February 11, 2010. She succeeded...
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literally meaning "with living voice" but most often translated as "by word of mouth." It may refer to: Word of mouth A voicevote in a deliberative assembly...
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The bill received bipartisan support and was passed in both chambers by voicevote. The National Security Act of 1947 was signed into law by President Truman...
Mississippi)". US Senate. Retrieved September 29, 2023. Confirmations by voicevote "PN1704 - Nomination of S. Lane Tucker for Department of Justice, 117th...
representatives requested a recorded vote, but McCarthy chose to decide the matter by voicevote. As it was a voicevote conducted behind closed doors, it...
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point. When debate concludes, the motion is put to a vote. In many cases, the House votes by voicevote; the presiding officer puts the question, and members...
nomination. After an initial voicevote led to a roll-call vote, Jo Jorgensen easily prevailed against no opposition, with 36 votes going to None of the Above...
on voicevote". Reuters. January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017. "U.S. Senate: Roll Call Vote". www...
Senate from January to May 2009, by a recorded roll-call vote, rather than by a voicevote. ¶ Confirmations after June 2009 (August 6, 2009 – December...
behalf of its MPs. A personal vote can be requested after a contested voicevote by any MP, but whether a personal or party vote is held is at the discretion...
The last nomination confirmed by a voicevote was that of Abe Fortas on August 11, 1965. The last time a roll call vote on a nomination was unanimous was...
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2014, through a controversial voicevote. The Senate voted on March 31, 2014, to pass the bill 64-35 in Roll Call Vote 93. President Barack Obama signed...
debate concludes, the motion in question is put to a vote. The Senate often votes by voicevote. The presiding officer puts the question, and members...
passed by the Senate on March 25, 2020. It was passed by the House via voicevote the next day, and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March...
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