GETTING STARTED:
ORDER OF PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS.
[Editor's note: This is a modified version of the original, to adapt it to the needs of an online document.]
The ordinary motions rank as follows, the lowest in rank being at the bottom and the highest at the top of the list. When any one of them is immediately pending the motions above it in the list are in order, and those below are out of order.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Motion |
| - | X | a | X | - | Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. |
| - | X | b | - | - | Adjourn. |
| - | X | c | X | - | Take a Recess. |
| - | X | - | - | - | Raise a Question of Privilege. |
| - | X | - | - | - | Call for the Orders of the Day. |
| - | - | - | - | - | Lay on the Table. |
| - | - | - | - | X | Previous Question. |
| - | - | - | - | X | Limit or Extend Limits of Debate. |
| X | - | - | X | - | Postpone to a Certain Time. |
| X | - | - | X | - | Commit or Refer. |
| X | - | - | X | - | Amend. |
| X | - | - | - | - | Postpone Indefinitely. |
| X | - | - | X | - | A Main Motion. |
Columns:
- 1 - Debatable
- 2 - Usually Privileged
- 3 - Not always privileged:
-
- a - Privileged only when made while another question is pending, and in an assembly that has made no provision for another meeting on the same or the next day.
- b - Loses its privileged character and is a main motion if in any way qualified, or if its effect, if adopted, is to dissolve the assembly without any provision for its meeting again.
- c - Privileged only when made while other business is pending.
- 4 - Can be amended
- 5 - Require a 2/3 vote for their adoption; the others require only a majority.
