Which of the following is true about main motions in a meeting?

• A. There can be two main motions on the floor at the same time
• B. There can be three main motions on the floor at the same time
• C. Only one main motion may be on the floor at a time
• D. Main motions require unanimous consent

Answer: (C)

In meetings using formal procedures, a main motion is a proposal that introduces new business for the group to consider. Because the group needs to discuss and decide on a single proposal clearly, only one main motion may be on the floor at a time. You can have related motions like amendments or motions to lay on the table while that main motion is being debated, but those don’t create another separate main motion to debate in parallel. The main motion is typically decided by a majority vote, not by unanimous consent. So, the statement that only one main motion may be on the floor at a time is the true one.