Standing Orders & House procedure
The rules that govern how each House conducts its business.
4. Quorum, voting and divisions
The House can only conduct business when a quorum is present: fifty members in the National Assembly and fifteen in the Senate (Article 121). Questions are generally decided by a majority of members present and voting (Article 122); the Senate votes by county delegation on matters affecting counties.
Votes are usually taken by voice. A division records how each member votes when a voice vote is challenged or a recorded vote is required.
Key points
- Without a quorum, business cannot proceed.
- Some decisions require a special majority set by the Constitution.
- Division results are part of the official record.
Who is involved?
- Speaker
- Members of the House
- Clerks at the table
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