Decision on the Voices - Project Open Gov

A decision made when the House agrees or rejects a question without a recorded division.

Category: Parliamentary procedure Votes and divisions

Also used as: decision on the voices, decided on the voices, on the voices, voice vote, voices

Source / explainer: Read Erskine May on voice and vote

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

A decision on the voices happens when the House decides a question without moving to a recorded division. Members call out in support or opposition and the Chair judges which side has it. If that judgement is not challenged, no list of individual votes is produced.

Related terms

AyesThe votes cast in favour of a motion or question in a parliamentary division.DivisionA formal vote in Parliament where members are counted for each side.NoesThe votes cast against a motion or question in a parliamentary division.Vote ResultThe recorded outcome of a parliamentary vote, showing whether the question was agreed or rejected.