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louis c

(8,652 posts) Tue Nov 20, 2018, 07:54 AM Nov 2018

What are the rules of the House on Speaker vote?

Does the candidate for Speaker need 218 votes, or a majority of those present and voting.

For instance: If 20 Democrats don't vote or vote present, does the number needed for Speaker remain at 218 or does it drop to 208 (435 minus 20 = 415. A majority of that is 208)?

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What are the rules of the House on Speaker vote? (Original Post) louis c Nov 2018 OP

Wiki says a majority of the votes actually cast for individuals (I.e., excluding abstentions) unblock Nov 2018 #1

From wikipedia manor321 Nov 2018 #2

unblock

(52,206 posts)

1. Wiki says a majority of the votes actually cast for individuals (I.e., excluding abstentions)

Reply to louis c (Original post)

Tue Nov 20, 2018, 08:04 AM

Nov 2018

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives

manor321

(3,344 posts)

2. From wikipedia

Reply to louis c (Original post)

Tue Nov 20, 2018, 08:05 AM

Nov 2018

They may also abstain by voting "present".

Although no rule exists, based on tradition and practice from the earliest days of the nation, to be elected speaker a candidate must receive an absolute majority of all votes cast for individuals, i.e. excluding those who abstain. If no candidate wins such a majority, then the roll call is repeated until a speaker is elected.

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