Voice votes have inherent disadvantages and the method has major shortfalls in close contests.
The volume of the voices are typically only estimated and not actually measured with sound level meters, giving a chair enough plausible deniability to falsify the result if they disagree with it; even if such a vote can be objectively quantified in terms of decibels, the method gives an unfair advantage to those who have louder voices.
The need to make an audible signal also compromises any situation in which a secret ballot may be desired.
Voice votes are also used in non-governmental settings, such as battles of the bands and spectator sports where a most valuable player, Man of the Match or Best in Show award is chosen by the audience.
Methods of voice voting were employed in ancient Greece as early as seventh century BC.
[3] From the assembly, few persons were selected and locked up in a room close to the election, so that they could only hear the noise of the audience, but not see the candidate put to vote.
Members vote by saying "aye" or "no", and the Speaker of the House (or President of the Senate) judges the result.
[4] Members vote by saying "yea" or "nay", and the Speaker judges the mood of the House.
[5] The initial decision on any question is by voice vote, members saying "aye" or "no", and the Speaker declaring which side has won.
[10] It is estimated that more than 95 percent of the resolutions passed by state legislatures are passed by a unanimous voice vote, many without discussion; this is because resolutions are often on routine, noncontroversial matters, such as commemorating important events or recognizing groups.