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26 27 <br /> Rule 21. Withdrawal of Motion. A motion may be withdrawn <br /> by the introducer at any time before it is amended or before <br /> the chair puts the motion to a vote, whichever occurs first. <br /> Comment: Robert's Rules of Order provides that once a motion <br /> has been stated by the chair for debate, it cannot be withdrawn <br /> without the assembly's consent. Such a procedure is unneces- <br /> sary for a small board. <br /> VII Quorum and Other Rules <br /> Rule 22. Duty to Vote. It is the duty of each member to vote <br /> unless excused by a majority vote according to law. The board <br /> shall excuse members from voting on matters involving their <br /> own financial interest or official conduct as provided by law. A <br /> member who wishes to be excused from voting shall so inform <br /> the chair, who shall take a vote of the remaining members. No <br /> member shall be excused from voting except in cases involving <br /> conflicts of interest, as defined by the board or by law, or the <br /> member's official conduct, as defined by the board. In all other <br /> cases, a failure to vote by a member who is physically present <br /> in the meeting, or who has withdrawn without being excused <br /> by a majority vote of the remaining members present, shall be <br /> recorded as an affirmative vote. <br /> Comment: G.S. 153A-44 provides that board members have a <br /> duty to vote, but does not state the remedy for failure to do so. <br /> Many boards record all members as voting yes on any matter <br /> put to vote unless members audibly vote no. A few boards <br /> reverse the presumption and record members as voting no <br /> unless they audibly vote yes. <br /> Rule 23. Prohibition of Secret Voting. No vote may be taken by <br /> secret ballot. If the board decides to vote by written ballot, each <br /> member shall sign his or her ballot and the minutes shall record <br /> the vote of each member. These ballots shall be retained and made <br /> available for public inspection until the minutes of that meeting <br /> have been approved, at which time they may be destroyed. <br /> Comment: See G.S. 143-318.13(b) <br /> Rule 24. Action by Reference. The board shall not deliber- <br /> ate, vote, or otherwise act on any matter by reference to an <br />