Majority rule is a principle of democratic government that requires a decision to be approved by a majority of voters before it may take effect. A majority consists of at least one more than half the votes cast. Majority rule may be used to elect officials or decide a policy. It may be used by groups that range in size from a small private organization to a large nation. A majority differs from a plurality. A candidate with a plurality receives more votes than any other candidate, but not necessarily a majority. For example, in an election in which 10 people vote, a majority would require at least six votes. A plurality might be as few as two votes if one candidate got that number and no other candidate got more than one of the remaining eight votes.
In the United States, Congress and the state legislatures use majority rule to pass laws. A candidate for President also needs a majority of the 538 votes in the Electoral College to be elected. The plurality principle is followed in elections for Congress and for most state or local offices.
