What should happen if an alternate member wishes to vote during a meeting?

In the context of IACUC procedures, it is established that alternate members typically serve to ensure that a quorum can be met in the absence of regular members. When a regular member is present, it is important to maintain the integrity of the voting process, which usually means that only the designated regular members should participate in any voting activities. Therefore, if an alternate member wishes to vote but a regular member is present, the alternate member is not permitted to do so.

This rule exists to strengthen accountability and ensure that the decision-making power remains in the hands of those who are officially designated as regular members. The structure of most IACUC voting guidelines emphasizes that the roles of regular and alternate members are clearly defined, thereby preventing any confusion or potential conflicts that could arise from allowing alternate members to vote when their regular counterparts are available.