Simple majority

A simple majority is the most common requirement for a motion or candidate to pass, especially in domestic and international political organizations. It means that in order for something (a motion or candidate) to win, that it needs more than half of the total votes cast. This is often simplified as saying that the requirement is 50% + 1, which means that the motion requires at least 1 additional vote above the 50% support mark. Tie votes are said to fail, because they did not get that single additional vote (the +1 vote). In order to prevent tie votes, many political organizations make use of tie-breaking proceedures.

Simple majority vote requirements are used in situations where the idea of majority rule is accepted. In situtations where political minority rights and participation is considered more important, a more stringent supermajority vote can be used.

In the NationStates United Nations all resolutions and repeals require only a simple majority in order to pass. Since the UN only considers votes cast for or against a resolution, absentions are not used when evalulating a vote. UN resolutions which pass by a simple majority, but fail to achieve a two-thirds majority are often to be considered controversial and at risk of being repealed.

Comparison with other terms

In parliamentary procedure, the term majority, used without qualification, means simple majority and thus the use of the term simple majority is often discouraged. A simple majority is a more stringent requirement than a plurality (meaning that more voters selected one options than any other single options even if a majority of voters did not select that option) and a less stringent requirement than an absolute majority (meaning that most of those eligible to vote voted in favor of an option regardless of how many of those eligible actually voted).