What does "call the question" mean in a meeting?

The short answer

To "call the question" is to ask the group to end debate and vote. The formal name in Robert's Rules is the motion for the Previous Question. Some groups simply say "I move to close debate."

It takes a second, it can't be debated, and it needs a two-thirds vote or unanimous consent.

The common mistake: shouting "Question!"

Many people believe that once someone calls out "Question!", the chair must stop debate and take a vote. The Robert's Rules FAQ says this is not the case.

Interrupting a speaker with "Call the question" is out of order. Even when nobody is speaking, the member still needs to be recognized by the chair first.

How to close debate properly

• Wait until no one has the floor, then seek recognition from the chair.
• Once recognized, say "I move the previous question" or "I move to close debate."
• Another member seconds the motion.
• The chair puts it to a vote at once, with no debate on it.
• If two-thirds vote yes, debate ends and the group votes on the pending motion. If not, debate continues.

The rules at a glance

The quicker route: unanimous consent

Robert's Rules also allows the Previous Question to be adopted by unanimous consent. As with other motions decided this way, the chair asks whether there is any objection.

If nobody objects, debate ends without a counted vote. If anyone objects, the chair takes the two-thirds vote.

Check your own rules first

The rules above are the Robert's Rules defaults. Public bodies may adopt their own meeting rules, or adopt Robert's Rules by reference, so check which rules your group uses.

If your group follows Robert's Rules, a chair who knows this motion can keep debate fair without letting one shout end it.

Recording it in the minutes

Minutes are a record of what was done, not of what was said. Note that the Previous Question was moved and whether it was adopted, then record the vote on the main motion.

Related: Structured notes from every meeting →What meeting minutes should include →What a point of order is →