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Just because Clownboy and I have been derailing a different thread, I feel it may be easier to settle here. In American politics does getting a majority mean to get over 50% of the total vote or does it mean just to have more votes than any other candidate? Should be a pretty simple question.
It is not that simple. Some places have run offs for those that do not make the 50% plus 1.
Others it is whoever receives the most votes.
So in a race with more than 3 candidates, it can easily be someone receiving 30 % (approx) of the total vote.
Just because Clownboy and I have been derailing a different thread, I feel it may be easier to settle here. In American politics does getting a majority mean to get over 50% of the total vote or does it mean just to have more votes than any other candidate? Should be a pretty simple question.
Simple Definition of majority
: a number that is greater than half of a total
: a number of votes that is more than half of the total number
It is not that simple. Some places have run offs for those that do not make the 50% plus 1.
Others it is whoever receives the most votes.
So in a race with more than 3 candidates, it can easily be someone receiving 30 % (approx) of the total vote.
I'm not talking about who should win an election. I'm talking about what qualifies as a majority of votes. In the U.S. it is very possible to win an election without 50% of the votes, but does that qualify as a majority is the question.
Thats called a plurality
Many countries have more than the 2 party State that the US has.
A true majority would be 50% plus 1, IMHO.
If that entails run off elections in a riding(Canada) then I am fine with that.
I'm not talking about who should win an election. I'm talking about what qualifies as a majority of votes. In the U.S. it is very possible to win an election without 50% of the votes, but does that qualify as a majority is the question.
It is also called a majority of votes cast by many.
No a majority is over 50%, if someone wins but with less than 50% its a plurality
Just because Clownboy and I have been derailing a different thread, I feel it may be easier to settle here. In American politics does getting a majority mean to get over 50% of the total vote or does it mean just to have more votes than any other candidate? Should be a pretty simple question.
It is not that simple. Some places have run offs for those that do not make the 50% plus 1.
Others it is whoever receives the most votes.
So in a race with more than 3 candidates, it can easily be someone receiving 30 % (approx) of the total vote.
It is also called a majority of votes cast by many.
Just because Clownboy and I have been derailing a different thread, I feel it may be easier to settle here. In American politics does getting a majority mean to get over 50% of the total vote or does it mean just to have more votes than any other candidate? Should be a pretty simple question.
You'll notice that nowhere in the constitution is the word "plurality" used (those fellows were pretty much caught up on the English language). It's always majority. In fact show me where any state uses plurality in their primary rules. They say instead, must attain 50%+1, or over 50%.
When the contest is between two contestants, the majority winner will have over 50%. However, there are other parties, and cases like the primaries where there are more than two contestants. The majority winner is the one who gets the greatest number.
and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner choose the President
It is also called a majority of votes cast by many.
You'll notice that nowhere in the constitution is the word "plurality" used (those fellows were pretty much caught up on the English language). It's always majority. In fact show me where any state uses plurality in their primary rules. They say instead, must attain 50%+1, or over 50%.
When the contest is between two contestants, the majority winner will have over 50%. However, there are other parties in presidential elections, and cases like the primaries where there are more than two contestants. The majority winner is the one who gets the greatest number.
The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President.
And the Constitution is making a distinction between more than 50% and just having the most votes. For example:
What do you think that means, if not that you need more than 50% of the electors or else the House shall choose the President?
You'll notice that nowhere in the constitution is the word "plurality" used (those fellows were pretty much caught up on the English language). It's always majority. In fact show me where any state uses plurality in their primary rules. They say instead, must attain 50%+1, or over 50%.
When the contest is between two contestants, the majority winner will have over 50%. However, there are other parties in presidential elections, and cases like the primaries where there are more than two contestants. The majority winner is the one who gets the greatest number.
I don't know anybody familiar with the English language that would call that a majority.
Here's another part of the Constitution (Amendment 12) that specifically distinguishes from having the most votes and having a majority.
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