Can members make nominations from the floor after a committee reports?

Short answer

Yes. Under Robert's Rules, after the nominating committee gives its report, the chair asks for more nominations from the floor (RONR §46). A committee's slate is only a set of suggestions. It does not stop members from naming other candidates unless your bylaws say so.

What to do

1. Have the committee report. The chair calls on the committee chair to read the names it is nominating for each office (RONR §46).
2. Do not vote on the report. The committee's list is not adopted or approved. The names are simply placed in nomination (RONR §51).
3. Call for floor nominations, one office at a time. After the report, the chair asks whether there are other nominations for each office (RONR §46).
4. Recognize members who want to nominate. A member stands or raises a hand, gets recognized, and says the name. A nomination does not need a second (RONR §46).
5. Close nominations when no one else speaks up. If there is a pause and no more names come, the chair declares nominations closed. No motion is needed (RONR §31).
6. Hold the election. All nominees, from the committee and from the floor, are treated the same. Members may also write in names on a ballot unless the bylaws forbid it (RONR §45).

What the chair says

The nominating committee has nominated Member A for president. Are there any further nominations for president?

Member B is nominated. Are there any further nominations?

Hearing none, nominations for president are closed.

The motion

You usually do not need a motion. But if a member moves to close nominations before everyone is done (RONR §31):

• Needs a second? Yes.
• Debatable? No.
• Amendable? Only as to timing (for example, "close in five minutes").
• Vote needed? Two-thirds, because it takes away members' right to nominate.
• Can it interrupt a speaker? No.

A motion to reopen nominations also needs a second and is not debatable. It needs only a majority vote (RONR §31).

Common mistakes

• Treating the slate as final. Some chairs announce the committee's names and go straight to a vote. Skipping the call for floor nominations denies members a basic right.
• Voting to "accept" the committee's report. There is nothing to accept. Voting on the slate can confuse people into thinking the election already happened.
• Rushing to close nominations. A member may shout "I move we close nominations" right away. The chair should make sure everyone who wants to nominate has had a chance. A motion to close needs two-thirds, and the chair can simply wait until no one else speaks.

Also note: committee members may be nominated, even by the committee itself, and a person nominated from the floor must meet the same eligibility rules in the bylaws as anyone else (RONR §46).

When your own rules say otherwise

Your bylaws can change this. Some bylaws ban floor nominations, require candidates to be nominated in advance, require a nominee's consent, or set a petition process. Look in the articles on officers, elections, and the nominating committee. Bylaws and special rules of order outrank Robert's Rules when they conflict (RONR §2). Public bodies, such as councils and school boards, may also have a charter or state law that controls how officers are chosen. If the rules are unclear and the stakes are high, it may be worth getting legal advice.