If quorum is not met, what is typically true about votes?

• A. The chair can decide.
• B. Votes are counted anyway.
• C. Votes are not valid.
• D. The meeting is canceled.

Answer: (C)

Quorum is the minimum number of members required to conduct business and have any votes count. If that threshold isn’t met, votes issued at that meeting aren’t valid because there aren’t enough members present to authorize the decision. This is why, in no-quorum situations, the binding outcome cannot be reached just from the votes cast. Typically the chair will declare that no formal business can be decided and will either recess or adjourn, with plans to reconvene when a proper quorum is met. In other words, the presence of a quorum is what gives votes their authority. Without it, votes don’t produce valid conclusions, and actions must wait until a valid meeting can occur. Adjournment isn’t the same as cancellation; it’s a pause until there are enough members to proceed.