What is the term for a majority—more than half?

What is the term for a majority—more than half?

• A. Seconder
• B. Session
• C. Simple majority
• D. Secretary

Answer: (C)

In parliamentary procedure, a majority means more than half of the votes that are actually cast. The standard term for that threshold is a simple majority. So, if 30 votes are cast, you need at least 16 in favor for the motion to pass; 15 would not be enough because it isn’t more than half. Abstentions don’t count toward the totals, so the calculation is always based on the votes that are cast. This differs from higher thresholds like two-thirds, which require a larger portion to approve, and from terms that aren’t voting thresholds at all (like a seconder, session, or secretary).

In parliamentary procedure, a majority means more than half of the votes that are actually cast. The standard term for that threshold is a simple majority. So, if 30 votes are cast, you need at least 16 in favor for the motion to pass; 15 would not be enough because it isn’t more than half. Abstentions don’t count toward the totals, so the calculation is always based on the votes that are cast. This differs from higher thresholds like two-thirds, which require a larger portion to approve, and from terms that aren’t voting thresholds at all (like a seconder, session, or secretary).