The phrase "yeas and nays" refers to the voting process in the United States Congress where members cast their votes aloud, either "yea" or "nay". The spelling of the word "yeas" is pronounced as /jiːz/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the "y" being pronounced as a consonant sound, similar to a "j". The spelling of the word "nays" is pronounced as /neɪz/, with the "a" being pronounced as a long "a" sound, and the "y" being pronounced as a consonant sound, similar to a "j".
"Yeas and nays" is a parliamentary term referring to the recorded votes of individual lawmakers during a legislative session. The phrase originates from the practice of requiring members of a legislative body to verbally express their approval or disapproval by respectively voicing "yea" or "nay" during a vote.
In this context, "yeas" signifies votes in favor of a particular motion or bill, while "nays" indicates votes against it. The purpose of recording individual votes is to ensure transparency and accountability in legislative decision-making, allowing constituents to know how their representatives voted on specific issues. Furthermore, the tally of yeas and nays can be used to determine the outcome of a vote and whether the motion or bill is passed.
Typically, during a vote, the presiding officer asks lawmakers to express their votes by saying "yea" or "nay." These responses are then registered and recorded, either manually by clerks or electronically, depending on the parliamentary procedure in place. The "yeas and nays" are often utilized for key decisions and controversial matters where a comprehensive record of voting is considered necessary.
Overall, the term "yeas and nays" refers to the collection and documentation of individual votes in parliamentary proceedings, ensuring legislative transparency, and facilitating accurate determination of voting outcomes.