Legal Definitions - vote immediately

Vote Immediately

"Vote immediately" refers to a procedural action taken within a deliberative body, such as a legislature, committee, or corporate board, to bring a pending motion or question directly to a vote without further debate, amendments, or delay. This mechanism is typically employed to expedite a decision, especially when a matter is urgent, when discussion is deemed exhaustive, or to prevent deliberate delaying tactics. It ensures that a resolution is reached swiftly.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of "vote immediately":

• Example 1: City Council Zoning Decision

  During a heated city council meeting, members are debating a controversial proposal to rezone a large parcel of land for commercial development. After several hours of public comments and council discussion, a council member, believing all relevant points have been made and further debate would be unproductive, moves to "vote immediately" on the rezoning proposal. If the motion passes, the council must then proceed directly to a final vote on the rezoning, bypassing any further discussion or proposed amendments.

  This example demonstrates "vote immediately" as a tool to conclude debate and force a decision on a contentious issue, preventing prolonged discussion that might delay action.

• Example 2: Corporate Board Merger Approval

  A technology company's board of directors is holding an emergency meeting to consider a time-sensitive merger offer from a competitor. The offer has a strict deadline, and market conditions are rapidly changing. After a comprehensive presentation from financial advisors and a brief question-and-answer session, the board chair, recognizing the urgency and the need to act before the deadline expires, calls for an immediate vote on the merger agreement.

  Here, "vote immediately" highlights its use in situations requiring swift action to capitalize on a narrow window of opportunity, where any delay could jeopardize a critical business decision.

• Example 3: Legislative Budget Passage

  In a national parliament, the annual budget bill is facing significant opposition, with various parties proposing numerous amendments and engaging in lengthy speeches to delay its passage. With the fiscal year-end approaching and a looming government shutdown if the budget isn't approved, the ruling party, holding a majority, invokes a procedural rule to "vote immediately" on the budget bill. This action forces the parliament to conclude all debate and proceed directly to a final vote on the entire budget package.

  This illustrates "vote immediately" as a mechanism to overcome deliberate obstruction and ensure the timely passage of essential legislation, preventing procedural delays from paralyzing government functions.