Simple majority

A simple majority is the most common requirement in voting for a measure to pass, especially in deliberative bodies and small organizations. It means that, of those who cast a vote for or against a proposition or candidate, more than half of the votes is necessary for election.

Related Topics:
Voting - Deliberative bodies - Vote

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As an example, let's consider three propositions: A, B, and C, that are proposed in a club of 100 members. In order for a proposition to be successful, a simple majority must agree to it. The results of the election are:

Related Topics:
Club - Election

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• 20 votes for proposition A
• 40 votes for proposition B
• 10 votes for proposition C
• 10 votes are blank

Since there are more votes for B than there are votes for both A and C combined, B has the simple majority, and so wins. Notice that abstentions and non-voters do not affect a simple majority process, since they neither support nor oppose. They only affect an absolute majority.

Related Topics:
Abstention - Absolute majority

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In an election for president in the same club having candidates Jim, Bob, Sally, and Bridget, the results are as follows:

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• 20 votes for Jim
• 20 votes for Bob
• 40 votes for Sally
• 2 votes for Bridget

In this election, no one has more votes than the combined votes of the opponents, so no one wins. In a case like this, most systems would either adopt a plurality rule or would have a second runoff election.

Related Topics:
Plurality - Runoff election

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Tie votes do not meet simple majority and are classfied as failures.

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Simple majority: See also ►