Legal Definitions - supermajority

A supermajority is a voting threshold that requires more than a simple majority (over 50%) to pass a measure or make a decision. This higher percentage or fraction of votes, such as two-thirds or three-fifths, is typically mandated for critical actions like amending a constitution or overriding a veto.

A supermajority refers to a voting requirement that is greater than a simple majority (more than 50% plus one vote). It mandates a significantly larger proportion of votes to pass a motion, decision, or amendment, often to ensure widespread agreement or to protect against hasty or unpopular changes. Common supermajority thresholds include two-thirds (approximately 67%), three-fifths (60%), or three-quarters (75%) of the votes cast or members present.

• Example 1: Corporate Governance

  A large technology company's corporate bylaws might stipulate that any decision to sell off a major division or subsidiary requires a two-thirds supermajority vote from its board of directors. If the board has 15 members, a simple majority would be 8 votes. However, under the supermajority rule, at least 10 directors (two-thirds of 15) would need to vote in favor for the sale to proceed. This ensures that such a significant strategic change has strong support from the company's leadership and is not pushed through by a narrow margin.

• Example 2: Legislative Process

  In a national legislature, overriding a presidential veto often requires a supermajority vote. For instance, if the president vetoes a bill, the legislative body might need a two-thirds vote in both its upper and lower chambers to pass the bill into law without the president's signature. If one chamber has 100 members, a simple majority would be 51 votes. But to override a veto, 67 members (two-thirds) would have to vote in favor, demonstrating that the bill has overwhelming support across the political spectrum, even against executive opposition.

• Example 3: Homeowners' Association (HOA)

  A homeowners' association's governing documents might require a three-fifths supermajority vote of all property owners to approve a substantial increase in annual dues or to undertake a major capital improvement project, such as building a new community clubhouse. If there are 200 homes in the association, a simple majority would be 101 votes. However, with a three-fifths supermajority requirement, 120 homeowners (60% of 200) would need to vote in favor. This ensures that a significant majority of residents agree to the financial commitment or the change to their shared community facilities.