Votes on bills in the General Assembly must always be conducted using what method if a bill involves appropriations?

Votes on bills involving appropriations must always be conducted using a roll call method to ensure transparency and accountability. This process requires each member of the General Assembly to publicly state their vote, which is then recorded. The rationale behind this requirement is to provide a clear and accessible record of how each legislator voted on financial matters, as appropriations directly impact state funding and expenditure. The public nature of roll call voting allows constituents to hold their representatives accountable, fostering trust and integrity within the legislative process.

In contrast, methods such as secret ballots or voice votes do not provide the same level of accountability when it comes to financial decisions. Secret ballots obscure individual votes, while voice votes may lead to ambiguity in determining the exact count or especially if the outcome is close. Electronic voting, though precise and clear, may still lack the formal requirement that roll call voting imposes for financial appropriations, making roll call the correct method for these types of votes.