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Simple English definitions for legal terms
supermajority
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A quick definition of supermajority:
A supermajority is a specific number or percentage of votes that is greater than half. It is often required for important decisions, such as changing a constitution or making major changes to a company. For example, a two-thirds supermajority may be needed to pass a certain measure. This is different from a simple majority, which is just over half of the votes. A supermajority is a way to ensure that decisions are made with a strong consensus and not just a slim majority.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A supermajority is a fixed proportion greater than half, such as two-thirds, especially a percentage required for a measure to pass. It is needed for certain extraordinary actions, such as ratifying a constitutional amendment or approving a fundamental corporate change.
Example: In the United States, a two-thirds supermajority vote is required in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to override a presidential veto. This means that at least two-thirds of the members of each chamber must vote in favor of the bill in order to make it a law, even if the president has vetoed it.
Explanation: This example illustrates how a supermajority is used in the legislative process to ensure that important decisions are made with a high level of agreement among lawmakers. By requiring a two-thirds majority to override a presidential veto, the U.S. Constitution ensures that the president's veto power is not easily overridden and that any laws passed by Congress have broad support.