CHAPTER 12. VOTING

Rule 12.1.  Members required to vote; explanation of vote

A. Every senator who is in the Senate Chamber when a question is put shall give his vote unless the Senate, for reasons assigned, excuses him. No senator shall be allowed to make any explanation of a vote he is about to give or ask to be excused from voting after the Secretary, under order of the Senate, has opened the voting machine or, if the voting machine is out of order, after the Secretary, under order of the Senate, has commenced to call the yeas and nays.

B. On a debatable question each member shall be allowed to explain his vote in writing only, and the explanation shall be incorporated in the Journal, if requested. The written explanation shall be presented to the Secretary not later than fifteen minutes before adjournment on the same legislative day.