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Force of Words

Throughout these rules, whenever the word "body" or "main body" has been used, it means the society, club, association, or other organized body to which the rules are made to apply.

TIE-VOTE.

Where a presiding officer is not chosen out of the body itself, as in the case of the Vice-President of the United States, the Lieutenant-Governor of a State, or the Mayor of a city or town, who may preside over the Common Council, he has naturally no vote. The Constitution in the case of the two first, and the charter in the case of the last, give them the privilege of deciding in case of a tie, and they do not vote otherwise.

But in the case of the Speaker of Congress, or of a House of Assembly, or a State Senate choosing its own presiding officer, the Speaker or President votes like any other member, only it is customary for the clerk, in calling the roll, to call him by his title, and not by his name. Hence in ordinary societies the presiding officer votes on all questions, and must vote if it be pressed, or be guilty of contempt of the main body, as in the case of any other member. The effect of a tie vote then is merely that the question before the body, not having a majority of votes, is lost.