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Division (Mode of determining a question)

the mode of determining a question at the end of a debate in a legislative body. In the House of Representatives at Washington, a division has no traditional formalities, being de- resentatives at Washington, a division termined by the rules of the body itself.

In the Senate, a division is plished by a roll call. In the British House of Commons the Speaker puts the question, and declares whether in his opinion the "ayes" or the "noes" have it. Should his opinion not be acquiesced in by the minority, minority, the house is cleared, and the "ayes" directed to go into the right lobby and the "noes" into the left, where they are counted by two tellers appointed for each party.

In the House of Lords the two sides in a division are called "contents" and "notcontents."