Legal Definitions - unanimous vote

A unanimous vote occurs when every single person eligible to cast a vote on a particular matter agrees and votes in favor of the proposed action or decision. There are no dissenting votes or abstentions; the outcome reflects complete agreement among all participants.

• Example 1: Jury Verdict
  In many criminal trials, for a defendant to be found guilty, the jury must reach a unanimous verdict. This means that all twelve jurors must individually agree that the prosecution has proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one juror holds a different view, the verdict is not unanimous, and the jury is considered "hung," potentially leading to a mistrial.

  How it illustrates the term: This example demonstrates that for a decision to be unanimous, every single member of the voting body (in this case, all twelve jurors) must be in complete agreement, with no dissent.

• Example 2: Corporate Board Decision
  Imagine a small startup company's board of directors, consisting of five members, is voting on whether to sell the company to a larger corporation. If the company's bylaws require a unanimous vote for such a significant strategic decision, it means all five directors must cast their vote in favor of the sale for it to be approved. If even one director votes against it, the sale cannot proceed under that specific rule.

  How it illustrates the term: This shows that every member of a decision-making body (the five directors) must be in full accord for the vote to be considered unanimous, ensuring complete consensus on critical matters.

• Example 3: Neighborhood Association Rule Change
  A neighborhood association is considering a proposal to implement a new rule requiring all residents to use specific types of drought-resistant landscaping. If their constitution states that any change to the community's aesthetic guidelines requires a unanimous vote from all members present at the annual meeting, every single homeowner attending and voting must agree to the new landscaping rule for it to be adopted.

  How it illustrates the term: This example highlights that in community organizations, a unanimous vote means every participant must agree to the proposal for it to pass, reflecting universal support among those present and voting.