relative majority
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * Relative Majority: In an election with more than two choices, this term refers to the largest number of votes received by a single candidate or party. Crucially, this number is less than half (i.e., less than 50%) of the total votes cast. It is the winning condition in a "first-past-the-post" or plurality system, where the candidate with the most votes wins, even without an absolute majority.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The candidate won the seat with a relative majority of 38% of the vote.
- In a crowded field of five candidates, securing a relative majority is often sufficient for victory.
- The party did not achieve an absolute majority but governed with a relative majority in parliament.
Advanced Usage
- "To win by/with a relative majority": This phrase describes the method of winning an election.
- The new mayor was elected by a relative majority after a divisive three-way race.
Variants and Related Words
- Plurality (n): This is the most common synonym for "relative majority" in American English. The terms are often used interchangeably in electoral contexts.
- She won a plurality of the votes, not an outright majority.
- Absolute Majority (n): This is the contrasting term, meaning more than 50% of the votes.
- A runoff election is held if no candidate achieves an absolute majority.
Synonyms
- Plurality: The number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but not necessarily an absolute majority.
Contrasting Terms (Not Synonyms)
- Absolute Majority: A majority over all others combined; more than half.
- Simple Majority: Often means the same as "absolute majority," but can sometimes be ambiguous. It is clearer to use "absolute majority" to contrast with "relative majority."
Noun
- (in an election with more than 2 options) the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number (but less that half of the votes)