The minimum number of members who must be present, under the bylaws, for a meeting to conduct business. Under Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised it is a majority of the members unless the bylaws say otherwise.

Do abstentions count toward a majority?

Under Robert’s Rules, no. A majority is more than half of the votes cast, and an abstention is not a vote cast. Some bylaws instead require a majority of all members or of those present. Those are different numbers, and this calculator does not compute them.

Why is a two-thirds vote rounded up?

Because the rule is at least two-thirds. With 10 votes cast, 6 yes votes is 60 percent and fails, while 7 is 70 percent and passes, so the threshold is 7.

Can a poll replace a vote at a meeting?

Only where your bylaws or the law allow that kind of vote for that motion. Votense does not know who your members are, so you must confirm each voter’s entitlement yourself.

Quorum calculator for board and association meetings

A quorum is the number of members who must be present before a meeting can conduct business. A majority vote is more than half of the votes cast, and some motions need two-thirds. This calculator takes your member count and works out each threshold as a whole number of people or votes, so nobody has to round 12.5 by hand.

Enter the members entitled to vote, the number present if you want to check attendance, and the yes and no votes cast on the motion. The numbers update as you type, and nothing is sent to a server.

Members entitled to voteMembers present (optional)Votes cast on the motion (yes + no)

Abstentions are not votes cast, so leave them out.

Quorum: more than half of members: 13 present; Enter the number present to check it.
Majority of votes cast: 16 yes votes; More than half of the 30 votes cast.
Two-thirds of votes cast: 20 yes votes; At least two-thirds of the 30 votes cast.
Two-thirds of all members: 17 members; For motions that need a two-thirds vote of the whole body.

How to use it

Enter the number of members entitled to vote. Do not count vacant seats or members who have resigned.
Enter the number present, if you want to check the quorum at a particular point in the meeting.
Enter the votes cast on the motion as yes plus no. Leave out abstentions.
Read each threshold against the rule your bylaws give for that motion. If the rule differs, use the number that matches the bylaws.

The default rules, from Robert’s Rules of Order

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised sets these defaults. A quorum is a majority of the members unless the bylaws say otherwise. A majority vote is more than half of the votes cast, and abstentions are not votes cast. A two-thirds vote is at least two-thirds of the votes cast.

The tool gives the smallest whole number that meets each rule. For 25 members, a quorum is 13, because 12 is not more than half. For 30 votes cast, a majority is 16, and a two-thirds vote is 20.

Your bylaws come first

Many associations change these defaults. A bylaw may set the quorum as a fixed number, a percentage of members, or a majority of those present, and a motion may need a majority of all members rather than of the votes cast. The calculator cannot know which applies, so it shows the default numbers and nothing else.

When the bylaws and the defaults disagree, the bylaws win. Keep a copy of the sections you relied on with the minutes.

Using a Votense poll for a vote

A Votense poll can collect a yes or no vote from people you invite. A poll allows one vote per browser by default. A survey allows unlimited responses by default, so use a poll for a vote. Votense does not hold your membership roll, so confirming that each voter is entitled to vote is your job, and so is checking that your bylaws allow an electronic or mail ballot for that motion.

Use it with a real vote, quiz or test

Votense is free to start: no card, and creating a poll, quiz or exam does not need a plan.

Make a free poll How ballots are protected

Quorum calculator questions

What is a quorum?: The minimum number of members who must be present, under the bylaws, for a meeting to conduct business. Under Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised it is a majority of the members unless the bylaws say otherwise.
Do abstentions count toward a majority?: Under Robert’s Rules, no. A majority is more than half of the votes cast, and an abstention is not a vote cast. Some bylaws instead require a majority of all members or of those present. Those are different numbers, and this calculator does not compute them.
Why is a two-thirds vote rounded up?: Because the rule is at least two-thirds. With 10 votes cast, 6 yes votes is 60 percent and fails, while 7 is 70 percent and passes, so the threshold is 7.
Can a poll replace a vote at a meeting?: Only where your bylaws or the law allow that kind of vote for that motion. Votense does not know who your members are, so you must confirm each voter’s entitlement yourself.