In parliamentary procedure, the term for a decision on a procedural issue is what?

• A. Ruling
• B. Decision
• C. Vote
• D. Motion

Answer: (A)

In parliamentary procedure, a ruling is the chair’s decision about how to apply the rules to a procedural question. When someone raises a point of order or there’s uncertainty about whether a motion is in order, the presiding officer issues a ruling to state what the rules require in that moment and how the meeting should proceed. This is different from a vote, which is members casting ballots on a proposal, and from a motion, which is the actual proposal being considered. It’s also not just a general decision, because a ruling specifically interprets and applies the procedural rules to the current situation.