Rule 5-5 Voting options
Current through 2024. Source: DLR publication. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Council Rules r. 5-5 (2026)
Rule 5-5 Voting optionsLinkCopy Citation
(a)
In general. When a question is put, every Councilmember present shall vote either “yea” or “nay”.
(b)
“Pass”. When called to vote a Councilmember may “pass” 1 time to vote later in the roll call.
(c)
Abstentions.
(1)
In general. Before a vote, a Councilmember may rise to abstain or disqualify themself and request that they be excused from a vote.
(2)
Counting quorum.
(i)
Councilmembers who are present but abstaining or excused from voting still count towards a quorum when required by the Charter.
(ii)
Except when otherwise mandatory under the Charter, votes requiring a majority or other proportion of votes without specifying whether the vote refers to the entire membership or to the members present, or to the members present and voting, the rule is that the proportion refers to the number present and voting.
(3)
Ethics; Abstention. Under Article 8 {“Ethics”}, § 6-6 {“Prohibited participation”} of the City Code a member shall abstain on any question in which the member has an interest that would violate Article 8, § 6-6 of the City Code.