In the House, how can a request be made to keep a record of the members' votes?

In the House, how can a request be made to keep a record of the members' votes?

• A. With a 2/3 vote
• B. With 1/3 of the members present
• C. With a simple majority
• D. With 1/5 of the members present

Answer: (D)

The process for requesting a recorded vote in the House of Representatives is guided by specific procedural rules. When a request is made to keep a record of members' votes, this can be initiated by a minimum of one-fifth of the members present at the meeting. This requirement ensures that a sufficient number of representatives support the idea of transparency regarding how each member votes, thus making it a more democratic process. A one-fifth threshold is designed to balance the need for accountability in voting with the efficient functioning of the House. If fewer members were allowed to make this request, it might risk the integrity of the voting process, while requiring a larger majority could lead to unnecessary delay or obstruction. Understanding this procedure highlights the importance of maintaining a clear record of legislative actions, which contributes to the accountability of elected officials and informs the public about their representatives' positions on various issues.

The process for requesting a recorded vote in the House of Representatives is guided by specific procedural rules. When a request is made to keep a record of members' votes, this can be initiated by a minimum of one-fifth of the members present at the meeting. This requirement ensures that a sufficient number of representatives support the idea of transparency regarding how each member votes, thus making it a more democratic process.

A one-fifth threshold is designed to balance the need for accountability in voting with the efficient functioning of the House. If fewer members were allowed to make this request, it might risk the integrity of the voting process, while requiring a larger majority could lead to unnecessary delay or obstruction.

Understanding this procedure highlights the importance of maintaining a clear record of legislative actions, which contributes to the accountability of elected officials and informs the public about their representatives' positions on various issues.