Simone Lawson
The concept of a majority vote is fundamental to democratic decision-making, but the percentage required to constitute a majority can vary depending on the context and the specific rules or laws governing the voting process. In its simplest form, a majority vote means more yes votes than no votes, or more technically, more than half of the total votes cast. This is often referred to as a simple majority or a relative majority. However, in some cases, a higher threshold, known as a supermajority, may be required. For example, a two-thirds majority is commonly needed to ratify treaties or amend constitutions. The required percentage for a majority can also be affected by other factors, such as the number of candidates or parties involved, the voting system used, and the specific parliamentary or electoral rules in place. Understanding the percentage needed to constitute a majority is crucial in elections, law-making, and other democratic processes, as it determines the threshold for taking decisions or making changes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Majority | More than half of a total |
| Simple Majority | More "yes" votes than "no" votes |
| Absolute Majority | Over half of the votes cast or 50% plus one vote |
| Relative Majority | More votes than other candidates but not necessarily more than half |
| Double Majority | Majority of votes according to two separate criteria |
| Supermajority | A specified threshold greater than one half |
| Plurality | A subset larger than any other subset but not necessarily more than half |
| Three-Fifths Majority | 60% |
| Two-Thirds Majority | 66.66% |
| Three-Quarters Majority | 75% |
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What You'll Learn
'Majority' and 'plurality'
The term "majority" is used in various contexts, but it generally refers to a subset of a set that consists of more than half of the set's elements. For example, in a group of 31 individuals, a majority would be 16 or more, while 15 or fewer would not constitute a majority. This concept of a "simple majority" is often used in voting systems, where it means having more "yes" votes than "no" votes, with abstentions or blank votes being excluded from the calculation.
In some cases, a supermajority may be required, which is a specified threshold greater than half. A common example of a supermajority is a two-thirds majority, which is often needed for significant decisions or amendments. For instance, in the context of the Indian Constitution, a supermajority of two-thirds of members present and voting in each house of the Indian Parliament is required to amend the constitution.
It is important to distinguish between a "majority" and a "plurality." While a majority requires more than half of the votes, a plurality occurs when a candidate or option receives the most votes but does not necessarily receive more than half of all votes cast. For example, in a group of 20 people divided into subgroups of 9, 6, and 5 members, the 9-member group would be the plurality but would not be a majority since they constitute less than half of the total group.
The plurality system is commonly used in elections, particularly in countries like Canada, Great Britain, India, and the United States. In this system, a candidate only needs to receive more votes than any other single opponent to win, without necessarily polling more votes than the combined opposition. This is in contrast to the majority system, where the winner needs to secure more than 50% of the votes in a constituency to be awarded the seat.
In some countries, mixed-member systems are employed, combining proportional representation with majority or plurality voting. For example, Germany elects half of its parliamentarians through proportional representation and the other half through single-member constituency plurality voting. Similarly, Italy, Japan, and several other countries have adopted hybrid systems that reflect their unique cultural, social, and political circumstances. These mixed-member systems aim to balance representation and direct election while adapting to the specific context of each nation.
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Simple majority vote
A simple majority vote is a voting system where the "winning" option is awarded by a majority vote. This means that more than half (50%+) of the votes cast must be in favour of the winning option. For example, if there are 100 votes cast, 51 votes are needed for a simple majority.
Simple majority voting is common among government bodies, corporate boards, nonprofit organizations, and professional associations. It is often used to elect officials, pass resolutions, and drive collective action. In a representative democracy, laws need majority support to be created, and a simple majority ensures that at least 51% of the community's members are satisfied with the decision. This voting system also increases the chance that laws will be followed, as they have the backing of the majority.
To achieve a simple majority, you must first define the total number of people who will vote. This may involve establishing voting eligibility, as some members may be limited due to conflicts of interest. After this, you can determine the total number of votes needed to define the majority. It is important to note that abstentions or blank votes are not considered when calculating a simple majority. Only the total voting members present are taken into account.
In some cases, a supermajority may be required instead of a simple majority. A supermajority is a specified threshold greater than one half, commonly a two-thirds majority. This is often required for more significant decisions, such as amending a constitution, to protect minorities.
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Absolute majority
An absolute majority is a term used to describe a majority of the members present and voting. This means that more than half of the votes cast are in favour of a proposition for it to be enacted. For example, if 30 members were at a meeting, a majority of the members present would be 16. However, if only 20 votes were cast, a majority of members present and voting would be 11 votes.
In parliamentary procedure, a majority always means precisely "more than half". This is in contrast to a plurality or relative majority, which is achieved when a candidate or option polls more votes than any other but does not receive more than half of all votes cast.
The term absolute majority is often used in politics. For example, the President of Italy is elected by an electoral college, and from the fourth round of voting onwards, only an absolute majority is needed. In German politics, the Kanzlermehrheit (Chancellor majority) requires a majority of elected members of the Bundestag, rather than a majority of those present.
In the context of elections, an absolute majority refers to a candidate receiving more than half of the votes. For instance, a candidate may receive an absolute majority of 57, with 180 votes in favour and 123 against.
An absolute majority should not be confused with a supermajority, which is a specified threshold greater than half. A common example of a supermajority is a two-thirds majority.
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Supermajority
A majority is more than half of a total number. In the case of a vote, a majority is achieved when there are more "yes" votes than "no" votes, with abstentions and blanks excluded.
A supermajority is a specified threshold greater than one-half. Supermajority rules require more than a simple majority, and are often used to prevent a majority group from eroding the fundamental rights of a minority group.
Common supermajorities include:
- Three-fifths (60%)
- Two-thirds (66.666...%), or two-thirds of votes cast being in favour, with abstentions and absences excluded)
- Three-quarters (75%)
In some countries, supermajority votes are required to amend constitutions or pass certain laws. For example, in South Korea, a supermajority in the National Assembly is required to pass additional library funding. In Spain, a three-fifths supermajority is required to amend the constitution, and a two-thirds supermajority is required to propose a new constitution. In India, a supermajority of two-thirds of members present and voting in each house of the Indian Parliament is required to amend the constitution.
In the United States, supermajorities are used in Congress to approve deficit spending, and in companies, supermajority clauses in articles of incorporation may require 80% of shareholders to approve a sale or merger.
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Double majority
In general, a majority is more than half of a total number of votes cast. However, the term "majority" is often used in other ways. For example, in parliamentary procedure, a majority means more than half of those present and voting.
A "double majority" is a voting system that requires a majority of votes according to two separate criteria. Double majorities are usually used to ensure strong support for measures considered to be of great importance. For example, in the European Union, the Council uses a double majority rule, requiring 55% of member states, representing at least 65% of the total EU population in favour. In some cases, the required percentage of member states in favour is increased to 72%.
In the United States, a constitutional amendment must be passed by a two-thirds majority of each house and then ratified by the legislative bodies of three-quarters of the states. In Australia, constitutional changes must be passed by referendum in at least four of the six states, and by a majority of voters nationally.
Changing the constitution of Finland requires a double majority of two different parliaments. A simple majority of the sitting parliament must first vote in favour of the amendment. The amendment is then postponed until the next general election, after which the next parliament must vote to ratify the amendment by a two-thirds majority.
In Spain, a double majority of two different parliaments and the people is required to pass major constitutional amendments. A two-thirds majority of the sitting parliament must first vote in favour of the amendment. The parliament is then dissolved, and snap elections are called. The newly elected parliament then decides by a majority vote whether to proceed with the amendment. The amendment is then subject to ratification by referendum.
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Frequently asked questions
A simple majority is when the number of "yes" votes exceeds the number of "no" votes. In other words, it is more than half of the total votes cast.
An absolute majority is when a candidate or proposition receives more than half of the votes cast, which is often calculated as 50% plus one vote.
A supermajority is a specified threshold greater than one half. A common example is a two-thirds majority, which is often required for important decisions such as amending constitutions or removing officials from office.
