What is a characteristic of negative motions?

Negative motions are characterized by their nature of being unfavorable or contrary to the main motion being discussed. In parliamentary procedure, negative motions are not legally permissible in many cases because they essentially attempt to deny or invalidate a decision or proposal that is currently under consideration.

For a motion to be considered legal and productive, it needs to either support or bring additional information about the main motion rather than outright rejecting it without proper procedural decorum. Negative motions can create confusion and may hinder the decision-making process as they disrupt the flow of discussion.

The other options describe qualities that do not align with the fundamental characteristics of negative motions. For instance, negative motions do not inherently promote discussion; rather, they may limit it by shutting down debate. Additionally, they are not always accepted, as they can be ruled out of order depending on the governing rules of the assembly. Lastly, negative motions do not specifically require unanimous consent; individual motions can often be passed with a simple majority, depending on the rules of the organization. Therefore, understanding that negative motions are not legally permissible captures their essence in parliamentary procedures effectively.