Legal Definitions - cumulative voting

Cumulative voting is an electoral system where voters are allocated a total number of votes equal to the number of positions being filled, multiplied by their voting power (e.g., number of shares owned in a corporation, or simply one vote per person in a public election). Instead of being restricted to casting only one vote for each open position, voters can distribute their total accumulated votes among the candidates in any way they choose. This includes the option of casting all of their available votes for a single candidate.

The primary purpose of cumulative voting is to empower minority groups or smaller blocs of voters to pool their votes effectively, thereby increasing their chances of electing at least one representative to a board, council, or other governing body, even if they do not constitute a majority of the overall electorate.

Here are some examples illustrating how cumulative voting works:

• Corporate Board Election: Imagine a company with five open seats on its Board of Directors. Under a standard "one share, one vote per seat" system, a shareholder owning 100 shares could cast 100 votes for up to five different candidates. With cumulative voting, that same shareholder would receive a total of 500 votes (100 shares multiplied by 5 seats). They could then choose to cast all 500 votes for a single candidate, or distribute them, perhaps 250 votes for one candidate and 250 for another. This system allows a group of minority shareholders, who might not have enough votes to elect a majority of the board, to combine their cumulative votes to ensure their preferred candidate secures at least one seat, giving them a voice on the board.

• Local School Board Election: Consider a city holding an election for three positions on its school board. If the city uses cumulative voting, each eligible voter receives three votes (one vote per seat). Instead of casting one vote for Candidate A, one for Candidate B, and one for Candidate C, a voter could cast all three of their votes for a single candidate, say Candidate X. This could be particularly impactful for a specific community group, such as parents advocating for increased funding for special education programs. By coordinating their efforts and having all their members cast all three of their votes for a candidate who strongly supports their cause, they significantly enhance that candidate's chances of winning one of the three available seats, ensuring their specific concerns are represented on the school board.