How do you reconsider a vote that was already taken at a meeting?

Short answer

A member who voted on the winning side makes a motion to reconsider. This is usually done the same day the vote was taken. If the motion gets a second and a majority vote, the original question is back before the group as if it had never been voted on. You can then debate it again and vote on it again (RONR §37).

What to do

1. Check who can move it. Only someone who voted on the prevailing side, meaning the side that won, may make the motion. If a motion passed, that means someone who voted yes. If it failed, someone who voted no. This keeps the losing side from forcing a do-over again and again. In a committee, any member who did not vote on the losing side may move it (RONR §37).
2. Check the timing. In an ordinary one-day meeting, the motion must be made the same day as the vote. If your session runs more than one day, it can also be made on the next day that business is held. A "session" can be one meeting or a series of linked meetings (RONR §8).
3. Get the floor and make the motion. The member rises or raises a hand, is recognized, and says what vote they want reconsidered.
4. Someone seconds it. Any member may second it, no matter how they voted.
5. The chair states the question. If other business is being discussed, the motion can still be made and noted. It is then taken up once that business is finished (RONR §37).
6. Debate, then vote. A majority vote adopts the motion to reconsider. This is true even if the original motion needed two-thirds.
7. Vote again on the original motion. If reconsideration passes, the original motion is pending again. Members may debate it, amend it, and vote on it as usual (RONR §4).

What the chair says

When the motion is made:

The member who voted on the prevailing side moves to reconsider the vote on the motion to [describe it]. Is there a second?

After a second:

It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the motion to [describe it]. Is there any debate?

Taking the vote:

All those in favor of reconsidering the vote, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes have it, and the vote is reconsidered. The question is now on the motion to [describe it].

The motion

• Needs a second? Yes.
• Debatable? Yes, if the original motion was debatable. Debate can also go into the merits of the original motion.
• Amendable? No.
• Vote needed? A majority, whatever vote the original motion needed.
• Can it interrupt a speaker? It can be made after another member has been given the floor but before they start speaking. It cannot interrupt someone who is already speaking.

Common mistakes

• Letting anyone move it. A member who voted on the losing side cannot move to reconsider in a regular meeting. They can ask a winning-side member to do it.
• Missing the deadline. Once the time limit has passed, reconsider is no longer available. To undo a motion that passed, use the motion to rescind or amend something previously adopted. That usually needs either advance notice and a majority, or a two-thirds vote (RONR §35). A motion that failed can usually just be made again at a later session (RONR §38).
• Reconsidering after it's too late to undo. If action has already been taken on the vote and can't be reversed, you can't reconsider it. An example is a contract that has already been signed.

Small boards and committees may follow looser procedures. See the rules for small boards (RONR §49).

When your own rules say otherwise

Your bylaws, special rules of order, or standing rules may change who can move to reconsider, the time limit, or the vote needed. Those rules come before the general rules in Robert's (RONR §2). Look for provisions on "reconsideration," "rescinding actions," or meeting procedure. Public bodies such as city councils and school boards may also face state open-meetings laws. These can require that a matter be on a posted agenda before it can be taken up again. When in doubt about the law, check with your body's attorney.