Opinion ID: 1707271
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Vote by written ballot

Text: The hospitals claim that SHPDA's vote by written ballot violates the Alabama Sunshine Act, § 13A-14-2, Code 1975. This Act prohibits executive or secret sessions by certain state agencies, including SHPDA, and provides for a fine of $10 to $500 for violation of the Act. The Sunshine Act does not prohibit vote by written ballot. Even if it did, the Act does not render void actions taken in violation of its provisions. Ex parte Alabama Public Service Commission, 376 So.2d 665 (Ala. 1979). CON statutes and SHPDA regulations do not prescribe a particular method of voting but, as noted earlier, provide that parliamentary procedure be observed within the discretion of the chairman of the CON Review Board according to Robert's Rules of Order. That authority provides that a vote can be taken by written ballot, if this manner of voting is approved by a majority vote, when it is believed that a secret vote will lead to a truer result. Robert's, 240, 348. In this case, two voice votes had been inconclusive. Thus, a vote by written ballot was appropriate. The change in voting method was not approved by a majority vote, as it should have been. However, this procedural flaw did not prejudice substantial rights of the hospitals. The chairman asked if there were any objections, and none of the members of the CON Review Board and none of the speakers objected to the manner of voting. Since there was no timely objection, any objection was waived. 73A C.J.S. Public Administrative Law and Procedure, § 191, pp. 211-12 (1983).