Should ballot vote results show name only or full vote count
Asked November 2026 · Answered by the AI Parliamentarian
In a ballot vote, are results displayed with the name and vote count, or just the name?
Ballot Vote Results — What to Report
Under RONR, when a ballot vote is taken, the results should be announced with the full vote tally, not just the winner's name.
What the Chair Should Announce
The chair should announce:
- Total votes cast
- Votes necessary to elect/adopt (the threshold required)
- Number of votes each candidate/option received
- The result (who is elected, or whether the motion carried/failed)
RONR 12th ed., §45 and §46 address voting procedures and the reporting of results.
Example Announcement
"There were 47 votes cast. 24 votes are necessary for a majority. Candidate A received 30 votes, Candidate B received 17 votes. Candidate A is elected."
Why This Matters
- Transparency — Members have a right to know the full tally
- Verification — Allows members to confirm the threshold was met
- Record — The minutes should record the full vote count, not just the outcome
Important Note on Tellers
If tellers are used, they submit a Tellers' Report with the complete breakdown, which is read aloud in full and entered into the minutes verbatim (RONR §45).