Election by acclamation – August 2011

At an election in which there was only one candidate for the office of president, a member “called for” election by “acclamation”. How should the chair respond to such a request?

Opinion:  “Acclamation” is an overwhelming vote, usually expressed orally or by loud applause, which is sometimes used, especially in elections, when opposition is lacking or negligible. It can be spontaneous, or it can be initiated by a motion of a member or at the request of a member or the chair. It is not in order if the bylaws require a ballot.

In the case of a spontaneous expression, the chair can declare a candidate elected if he hears no opposition. A motion or a “call for acclamation” is best treated as a request. The chair can then put the question as in general consent, “If there is no objection…” If objected to, he would proceed with the election or business at hand in the ordinary manner. “Acclamation” is not, strictly speaking, generally accepted as a well-defined parliamentary term and, in practice, can be awkward.