Roll Call Voting Procedure

A roll call vote is a recorded, delegation-by-delegation voting procedure used on substantive matters in Model UN committees that simulate organs where such votes are standard practice, particularly the UN Security Council and the General Assembly. Instead of a simple show of placards, the chair (or rapporteur) reads delegations in English alphabetical order, and each delegation responds aloud with its vote. The results are entered into the official record, making each country's position publicly traceable.

Typical options a delegation may give include:

• Yes or No — a standard affirmative or negative vote.
• Yes with rights / No with rights — the delegation commits to its vote but reserves time after voting closes to explain its position; this option is generally only available when the delegate's stated position appears to contradict its bloc or known policy.
• Abstain — permitted only on substantive votes; abstention is not allowed on procedural matters under most rules of procedure, including those modeled on the UN Charter.
• Pass — the delegation defers its vote to a second round. On the second call, the delegate must vote yes or no and may no longer abstain or pass again.

A roll call is typically initiated by a motion for a roll call vote, which requires a second and is generally in order only for substantive votes (such as draft resolutions or amendments). In committees modeled on the Security Council, all substantive votes are conducted by roll call by default, and the P5 veto (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) applies — a "no" vote from any permanent member defeats the draft regardless of the overall tally, per Article 27(3) of the UN Charter.

After both rounds, the chair announces the tally and whether the motion or draft has passed. Rights of explanation, where granted, are heard before the gavel falls on the result.