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Plurality vote: meaning, definitions and examples

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plurality vote

[ pləˈræləti voʊt ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

election process

A system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins, even if the margin is not a majority. This method is commonly used in elections with more than two candidates.

Synonyms

first-past-the-post system, plurality system.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
plurality vote	Even though this term is a repetition, it's essential to mention that it often overlaps with 'plurality vote' and is used interchangeably in many contexts related to voting systems where the candidate with the most votes wins. Election results in a plurality vote system can sometimes lead to controversial outcomes. Implementing a plurality vote can simplify the election process.
plurality system	Utilized more broadly and interchangeably with 'plurality vote.' It is common in academic and official documents discussing comparative electoral systems. This term also covers a range of voting methods where the candidate with the highest number of votes wins. The plurality system often results in a 'winner-take-all' outcome. Many political scientists study the effects of the plurality system on elections.
first-past-the-post system	Used in political discussions, especially in the context of elections in countries like the UK, Canada, or India. This term is more familiar in everyday conversation and media when describing the electoral system where the highest polling candidate wins. The UK uses the first-past-the-post system for its general elections. Critics argue that the first-past-the-post system doesn't represent minority interests well.

Word

Description / Examples

plurality vote

Even though this term is a repetition, it's essential to mention that it often overlaps with 'plurality vote' and is used interchangeably in many contexts related to voting systems where the candidate with the most votes wins.

Election results in a plurality vote system can sometimes lead to controversial outcomes.
Implementing a plurality vote can simplify the election process.

plurality system

Utilized more broadly and interchangeably with 'plurality vote.' It is common in academic and official documents discussing comparative electoral systems. This term also covers a range of voting methods where the candidate with the highest number of votes wins.

The plurality system often results in a 'winner-take-all' outcome.
Many political scientists study the effects of the plurality system on elections.

first-past-the-post system

Used in political discussions, especially in the context of elections in countries like the UK, Canada, or India. This term is more familiar in everyday conversation and media when describing the electoral system where the highest polling candidate wins.

The UK uses the first-past-the-post system for its general elections.
Critics argue that the first-past-the-post system doesn't represent minority interests well.

Examples of usage

The student council election was decided by a plurality vote, with Emily winning by just a few votes.
In a plurality vote system, the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner, regardless of whether they have more than half of the total votes.
The concept of a plurality vote can lead to situations where the winner does not have the support of the majority of voters.

Translations

Translations of the word "plurality vote" in other languages:

🇵🇹 voto por pluralidade

🇮🇳 बहुसंख्यक वोट

🇩🇪 Mehrheitswahl

🇮🇩 suara pluralitas

🇺🇦 голосування за принципом більшості

🇵🇱 głosowanie większościowe

🇯🇵 多数決投票 (たすうけつとうひょう)

🇫🇷 vote pluralitaire

🇪🇸 voto por pluralidad

🇹🇷 çoğunluk oyu

🇰🇷 다수결 투표 (다수결 투표)

🇸🇦 تصويت بالأغلبية

🇨🇿 hlasování většinou

🇸🇰 hlasovanie väčšinou

🇨🇳 复数投票 (fùshù tóupiào)

🇸🇮 glasovanje po večinskem sistemu

🇮🇸 fjölmenningskosning

🇰🇿 көпшілік дауыспен дауыс беру

🇬🇪 მრავალრიცხოვანი ხმა

🇦🇿 çoxluq səsi

🇲🇽 voto por pluralidad

Etymology

The concept of plurality voting dates back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, where it was used to determine winners in various competitions. In modern times, plurality voting has been widely adopted in democratic systems around the world, although it has also been criticized for potentially leading to outcomes where the winner does not have majority support. The term 'plurality vote' itself emerged in the 19th century as a way to describe this voting system.