Warning
Info
Warning
Info
Simple English definitions for legal terms
majority
Read a random definition: mallus
A quick definition of majority:
A majority means having more than half of something. For example, if there are 10 cookies and you have 6 of them, you have the majority of the cookies. In elections, a candidate may need a majority of votes to win, which means they need more than half of the total votes. Sometimes, a candidate only needs the most votes, even if it's not more than half, and this is called a relative majority. A super majority is when a greater percentage than a regular majority is needed, usually for very important decisions. The age of majority is when a person becomes an adult and can do things that only adults are allowed to do, like vote.
A more thorough explanation:
Majority means having more than half of the total. For example, if there are 10 people in a room and 6 of them agree on something, then the majority is 6.
In elections, a candidate may need a majority to win. An absolute majority means they need more than 50% of the votes. A relative majority, also known as a plurality, means they just need the most votes, even if it's less than 50%. A qualified majority, also called a super majority, requires an even greater percentage than an absolute majority and is usually needed for important decisions.
Another use of majority is to refer to the age at which a person becomes an adult and can do things that are only allowed for adults, like voting. This is called the age of majority.
For example, if a candidate needs 60% of the votes to win, they need a qualified majority. If a person turns 18, they have reached the age of majority and can vote in elections.