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Elections & terms

majority

More than half. A plurality is only the largest share, which can be far less than half when more than two candidates run.

In full

The distinction decides elections. Under plurality rules the candidate with the most votes wins even with 35 percent, which is what makes the spoiler effect possible; runoffs and ranked-choice voting exist to produce a majority winner instead. In a legislature, a simple majority is more than half of those voting, while an absolute majority is more than half of the full membership.

Also written as: plurality, simple majority, absolute majority

Where to go next

Written from U.S. Senate Glossary

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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.