What does it mean to "withdraw" a motion?

Withdrawing a motion refers to the action of retracting a motion before it has been seconded or voted on. This means that a member of the assembly who has proposed a motion can decide to remove it from consideration altogether. It is a way to ensure that an issue is no longer being pushed forward if the proposer believes it is not the right time or if they no longer wish to pursue it.

In parliamentary procedure, this allows for flexibility and responsiveness to changing circumstances. It is important to note that once a motion has been seconded or voted on, it cannot be simply withdrawn by the original proponent, and the process must instead follow different procedures. Thus, the definition emphasizes the importance of the timing of the motion’s status in the assembly's decision-making process.