In the context of voting, what does the term majority refer to?

The term majority in the context of voting refers specifically to more than half of the members present. This definition establishes that for a decision to be made or an item to pass, it must receive more votes than half of the total members participating in the vote. This concept is fundamental in democratic processes and decision-making bodies, as it ensures that the majority's preference is reflected in the outcome.

The idea of a majority emphasizes the importance of surpassing a simple half of the votes, which distinguishes it from other voting terms such as equal votes, which would imply a tie rather than a decisive outcome. Additionally, defining majority as all members present or a simple count does not accurately capture the need for surpassing fifty percent. Therefore, the correct understanding of majority is vital in ensuring clarity and legitimacy in the voting process.