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

1. (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)