Legal Definitions - one-half plus one

One-half plus one is a procedural and legal term used to define a simple majority. It refers to the smallest whole number of votes, members, or participants required to exceed exactly half of the total number. Essentially, it means more than 50%.

When calculating "one-half plus one":

• If the total number is even, you divide by two and then add one.
• If the total number is odd, you divide by two, which results in a number ending in .5, and then you round up to the next whole number. This effectively means taking the exact middle number and adding one to ensure a clear majority.

This threshold is commonly used in voting, quorum requirements, and other decision-making processes to ensure that a clear majority supports a decision, rather than a tie or a minority.

Examples:

• Corporate Board Decision:

  Imagine a seven-member corporate board of directors voting on a proposal to merge with another company. For the merger to be approved, the company's bylaws state it requires a "one-half plus one" vote from the board members.

  How it applies: Half of seven is 3.5. Adding one makes it 4.5. Since votes must be whole numbers, this means at least 4 directors must vote in favor of the merger for it to pass. This ensures that a clear majority of the board supports such a significant decision, rather than a 3-3 split with one abstention, or a decision made by fewer than half the members.

• Homeowners' Association Meeting:

  A homeowners' association has 50 voting members. They are holding a meeting to decide on a new community-wide landscaping project, which requires a "one-half plus one" vote for approval.

  How it applies: To approve the project, more than half of the 50 members must vote in favor. Half of 50 is 25. Adding one makes it 26. Therefore, at least 26 members must cast a "yes" vote for the landscaping project to be approved. This threshold prevents the project from being approved by only half the members (a tie) and ensures a clear majority supports the initiative.

• Legislative Committee Vote:

  A state legislative committee, composed of 11 representatives, is reviewing a proposed bill. For the bill to be recommended to the full legislature, it needs a "one-half plus one" vote from the committee members present.

  How it applies: If all 11 members are present, half of 11 is 5.5. Adding one makes it 6.5. This means at least 6 representatives must vote in favor of the bill for it to be recommended out of the committee. This mechanism ensures that a strong majority within the committee supports the bill before it moves forward to a broader vote.