The Rules — Motions Guide

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This guide provides a comprehensive reference for all motions defined in Robert's Rules of Order, including their precedence, requirements, and proper usage.

Order of Precedence

When a motion is pending, only motions of higher precedence may be made. The order from highest to lowest is:

1. Fix the Time to Adjourn
2. Adjourn
3. Take a Recess
4. Raise a Question of Privilege
5. Call for the Orders of the Day
6. Lay on the Table
7. Previous Question (close debate)
8. Limit or Extend Debate
9. Postpone to a Certain Time
10. Commit or Refer
11. Amend
12. Postpone Indefinitely
13. Main Motion

Motions at a Glance

Motion	Second?	Debatable?	Amendable?	Vote Required
Main Motion	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Amend	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Refer to Committee	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Postpone to a Time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Postpone Indefinitely	Yes	Yes	No	Majority
Limit/Extend Debate	Yes	No	Yes	Two-thirds
Previous Question	Yes	No	No	Two-thirds
Lay on the Table	Yes	No	No	Majority
Take from the Table	Yes	No	No	Majority
Reconsider	Yes	Yes	No	Majority
Rescind	Yes	Yes	Yes	Two-thirds (or majority with notice)
Adjourn	Yes	No	No	Majority
Recess	Yes	No	Yes	Majority
Point of Order	No	No	No	Chair rules
Appeal	Yes	Yes	No	Majority
Suspend the Rules	Yes	No	No	Two-thirds
Division of Assembly	No	No	No	Demand

For the full printable chart, see the Chart of Motions or download the PDF version. An Arabic-language chart of motions is also available, originally prepared for use by NGOs in Iraq.

This guide is also available in Français, Español, 中文, Deutsch, Italiano, Português, Kiswahili, Bahasa Indonesia, עברית, اردو, فارسی, 日本語, Русский, Українська, हिन्दी, and বাংলা.

For the complete original text covering all motions in detail, read the full Robert's Rules of Order Revised (1915).