If there is no second to a motion, the motion is ___.

If there is no second to a motion, the motion is ___.

• A. Tabled
• B. Lost
• C. Rejected
• D. Pending

Answer: (B)

In this situation, the key rule is that a motion must be seconded to proceed. The second shows there is at least one member who wants the motion discussed and acted upon. If no one offers a second, there’s no support to move the motion forward, so it ends there and is considered lost for lack of a second. The chair would declare that the motion has failed due to no second, and no debate or vote takes place. This isn’t the same as being tabled or rejected, which require action after a second and a vote. It also isn’t pending, because without a second the motion doesn’t wait for anything—it simply dies.

In this situation, the key rule is that a motion must be seconded to proceed. The second shows there is at least one member who wants the motion discussed and acted upon. If no one offers a second, there’s no support to move the motion forward, so it ends there and is considered lost for lack of a second. The chair would declare that the motion has failed due to no second, and no debate or vote takes place.

This isn’t the same as being tabled or rejected, which require action after a second and a vote. It also isn’t pending, because without a second the motion doesn’t wait for anything—it simply dies.