The Parliament of Catalonia makes decisions after a series of debates in which both those who are in favour of a certain stance and those who are against it may ask to speak. In matters of special importance, all Parliamentary groups can take their stance or explain their vote. Ample time is available for more general, global issues (fifteen to twenty minutes), and much less time (three minutes) for more specific matters.

For Parliament to be able to make a valid decision, it must sit in accordance with the terms established in the Rules of Procedure and with the absolute majority of Members of Parliament attending. Absolute majority is defined as the first whole number resulting from dividing the total number of Members of Parliament by two. Currently sixty-eight members are required for an absolute majority. The ordinary quorum for decisions is the simple majority. Simple majority means that there are more votes in favour than votes against, without counting abstentions and invalid votes.

The voting procedures for the Parliament of Catalonia are:

• Approval by unanimous consent, when no Member of Parliament objects to the proposal of the Presidency.
• Ordinary vote, traditionally with those Members in favour of the proposal standing first, then those against, and finally those abstaining.

This procedure is now carried out electronically: members press a button to register their vote and the electronic system calculates their votes and displays the result on two large illuminated panels placed where they can be seen by all those attending the sitting.

• Vote by roll-call, a solemn voting procedure used for solemn and particularly significant bills. The name of the Member to be called first is drawn by lot, with remaining Members called in alphabetical order. Members must respond to their name by calling "yes"or "no"or declaring that they abstain.
• Secret vote, using voting papers or the electronic system reserved for electing people, which is the its most frequent use, or using balls when evaluating the conduct of an individual or a group. The white ball is used to show approval and the black ball for disapproval.