Legal Definitions - threshold

In a legal or parliamentary context, a threshold refers to a minimum requirement that must be met for a particular action, decision, or outcome to occur. It often specifies a certain number, percentage, or proportion of votes or support needed to pass a motion, elect a candidate, or trigger a specific legal process.

Here are some examples:

• Example 1: Presidential Election Victory

  In many countries, for a presidential candidate to win outright in the first round of an election, they must secure more than 50% of the total votes cast. If no candidate reaches this percentage, a second round (or run-off election) between the top two candidates is often held. The "more than 50%" is the threshold for an initial victory.

  This illustrates the term because it defines the specific minimum proportion of votes a candidate needs to achieve a particular outcome – winning the election without further rounds.

• Example 2: Party Representation in Parliament

  Some electoral systems, particularly those using proportional representation, require a political party to receive a minimum percentage of the national vote (e.g., 5%) to be allocated any seats in parliament. Parties falling below this percentage do not gain representation, even if they received some votes. This 5% is the electoral threshold.

  This example demonstrates the concept of a threshold as a minimum percentage of support required for a political entity to qualify for a specific benefit or status – in this case, parliamentary representation.

• Example 3: Overriding a Veto

  In a legislative body, if a president or governor vetoes a bill, the legislature might have the power to override that veto. However, this often requires a higher standard of approval than simply passing the bill initially, such as a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers. This two-thirds majority is the threshold for overriding the veto.

  This illustrates a threshold as a heightened minimum number or proportion of votes necessary to achieve a significant legislative action, indicating a strong consensus is required.