Which of the following statements is true regarding the role of the chair during voting?

The statement that the chair votes only if the vote is likely to be a tie is accurate and aligns with standard parliamentary procedures. The chair's role primarily involves facilitating the meeting and ensuring that the rules are followed. In most governing bodies, the chair generally refrains from voting to maintain impartiality and fairness in the decision-making process. However, when a vote is anticipated to be tied, the chair is permitted to cast a vote to break the tie. This practice ensures that decisions can be made efficiently and prevents a stalemate, allowing the meeting to progress.

In contrast to this, the other options present misunderstandings of the chair's role. While it may seem appealing for a chair to have the ability to vote any time to influence the majority, this could compromise their neutrality and fairness, which is crucial in maintaining order. Appointing someone to vote on their behalf is generally not allowed, as the chair's responsibilities are specific to their position and cannot be delegated in that manner. Thus, the correct understanding of the chair's voting rights emphasizes the conditional nature of their vote, aimed at maintaining balance rather than exerting influence.