If a main motion is considered and adopted without a second, what is the effect?

• A. It is defeated automatically.
• B. It is adopted despite lack of second.
• C. It must be referred to committee.
• D. It is postponed to the next meeting.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how unanimous (general) consent works in parliamentary procedure. When a main motion is on the floor, the chair can ask if there is any objection to adopting it by general consent. If no one objects, the motion is treated as adopted without a formal vote or a second being recorded. This expedites routine, non-controversial business. If someone does object, the motion then follows the normal rules, which could require a second and a vote.

So, when a main motion is considered and adopted without a second, the effect is that it passes by unanimous consent—adopted even though no one seconded it. It isn’t automatically defeated, nor is it automatically sent to committee or postponed; those outcomes would depend on objections and the subsequent proceedings.