Defined term

Plurality

Plurality: The number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority (more than 50%).

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Election Administration

Definition

The number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority (more than 50%).

Alternative Definitions

Definition 2

Usually, the largest number of votes but less than a majority. However, the term has different definitions in various states: “the receiving by one candidate alone of the highest number of votes cast for eligible candidates in an elec tion among the candidates for the same office, provided that such number of votes exceeds 45 pe rcent of the total numbe r of votes cast in such election for such office. In the case where two or more persons tie in receiving the highest number of votes or no candidate receives more than 45 percent of the total votes cast for eligible candidates in the election for the offi ce sought there is no plur ality.” Ga. Code Ann. §21-2-2(22).

Source: Electronic Voting GlossaryType: external

Sources

1
Glossary of Election Terms, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
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2
EAC Glossary of Terms
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3
EAC Glossary of Election Terms
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4
Electronic Voting Glossary
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