What Is A Roll Call Vote?

A roll call vote involves a board member casting their vote on a motion vocally, usually after the board secretary calls out their name in a board meeting.

How does a roll call vote work?

When the chairperson of the board calls for a roll call vote, the board secretary may proceed in the following ways:

• In-person roll call vote

  The secretary calls out the board members’ names alphabetically and records their responses and names on a tally sheet. The chairperson’s name is called last and only in case their response will affect the outcome of the motion.

• Use of electronic voting systems

  Electronic voting can be used to take a roll call vote following the same procedure. Using meeting management software, the board member can register their vote and the platform will record it.

Advantages of a roll call vote in board meetings

There are several advantages of using a roll call vote, such as:

• Transparency and accountability

  This transparent voting process encourages deep thought on the topic, as the members realise they can be held accountable for their decision.

• Ability to track voting patterns

  The board chair can analyse how each member is likely to vote on a motion by discerning their individual decision patterns. 

When is a roll call vote used in board meetings?

A roll call vote is used in the following situations:

• For significant decisions: When the board has to make an important decision such as budget approval and policy changes that could affect the course of the organisation.
• When requested: If there is a desire to have a record of how each member votes, it can be requested by the chair or a majority of the members.