Legal Definitions - show of hands

A show of hands is a common method of voting or indicating assent or dissent, where participants physically raise one of their hands to signal their choice. This method is often used for quick, informal decisions, to gauge general sentiment, or when a precise numerical count is not strictly required.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• During a neighborhood association meeting, residents were discussing whether to allocate funds for new playground equipment. The chairperson, seeking a quick consensus, asked, "All those in favor of purchasing the new equipment, please show of hands." Several hands went up, indicating strong support for the proposal.

  This example demonstrates a show of hands being used in a community setting to quickly ascertain the majority's preference on a spending decision without needing a formal ballot.

• In a university lecture hall, the professor wanted to know how many students had completed the optional reading before moving on to a new topic. She paused and said, "Could I get a show of hands from everyone who managed to read Chapter 5?" A scattering of hands appeared, giving her an immediate visual estimate of student preparedness.

  This example illustrates how a show of hands can be used to quickly gauge participation or understanding within a group, providing immediate feedback to the speaker.

• At a small company's weekly team meeting, the project lead proposed an idea for a new marketing strategy. Before delving into a detailed discussion, she asked the team, "For a preliminary sense, how many of you think this strategy has potential? Please show of hands." Most team members raised their hands, signaling a positive initial reception and encouraging further exploration of the idea.

  This example highlights the use of a show of hands in a professional context to take a preliminary, non-binding vote or to assess initial interest in a proposal before committing more time and resources.