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Simple English definitions for legal terms
effective vote
Read a random definition: proof of service
A quick definition of effective vote:
An effective vote is a vote that counts towards a winning candidate, to the extent needed to win. For example, if a candidate needs 100 votes and gets 150, then 50 votes are excess votes and each vote is two-thirds effective and one-third excess. A wasted vote, on the other hand, is a vote that does not count towards any winning candidate. There are different types of votes, such as a preferential vote that ranks choices in order of preference, a tie vote which is an equally divided vote, and a unanimous vote in which every voter concurs. The act of voting is the process of expressing one's preference or opinion in a meeting or election by ballot, show of hands, or other type of communication.
A more thorough explanation:
An effective vote is a vote that counts towards a winning candidate, to the extent needed to win. For example, if a candidate needs 100 votes and gets 150, then 50 votes are excess votes and each vote is two-thirds effective and one-third excess. This means that the excess votes do not count towards the winning candidate.
For instance, in a presidential election, if a candidate wins the majority of the electoral votes, then those votes are effective votes. However, if a candidate wins the popular vote but loses the electoral vote, then those popular votes are not effective votes.
Effective votes are important in determining the outcome of an election. They are the votes that matter and can make a difference in who wins and who loses.