A double majority is the name given to a vote which requires a majority of votes according to two separate criteria. The mechanism is usually used to require strong support for any measure considered to be of great importance. A majority is a subset of a group that is more than half of the entire group. ...

Examples of double majority

In the United States

Double majority is used in the United States for some votes on issues such as a tax levy or bond. This vote requires both a plurality of votes cast, and a majority of registered voters to cast votes in the election. This mechanism is used to prevent a small group from passing spending measures which affect the entire population in order to support their pet causes, especially at an election expected to have low voter turnout. A tax is a compulsory charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state (e. ... In finance, a bond is a debt security, that is the issuer owes the holders a debt and is obliged to pay the principal and interest (the coupon), together with other obligations under the term of the issue, such as the obligation to give certain information. ... Voting is a method of decision making wherein a group such as a meeting or an electorate attempts to gauge its opinion—usually as a final step following discussions or debates. ... A plurality (or relative majority) is the largest share of something, which may or may not be a majority. ... A majority is a subset of a group that is more than half of the entire group. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Voters lining up outside a Baghdad polling station during the 2005 Iraqi election. ...

In Australia

In Australia, constitutional changes must be passed at a referendum in a majority of states (4 of the 6), and by a majority (51%) of voters nationally. Prior to 1977, the votes of citizens in the Northern Territory and the ACT did not affect the national or state-based count. After a Constitution Alteration put to referendum in 1977 and given executorive assent on 19 July 1977, Territorial votes contribute towards the national majority, but the Territories themselves do not count towards the majority of states. A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda - note though that referendums is more correct as referendum is the gerund of the Latin verb ad referre which therefore, formally, cannot be put into the plural) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Motto: None Nickname: ? Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Administrator Chief Minister Const. ... Motto: Pro Rege, Lege et Grege (For the Queen, the Law and the People) Nickname: (none) Other Australian states and territories Capital Canberra Government Administrator Chief Minister Const. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ...

In the European Union

In the European Union, double majority voting is a form of Qualified Majority Voting which is proposed in the Treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. According to this proposal, any decision taken under this scheme will require the support of at least 55% of the Council of the European Union members who must also represent at least 65% of the EU's citizens. The Treaty is expected to come into effect in 2009. Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) is a voting procedure employed in the Council of the European Union for some decisions. ... The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, commonly referred to as the European Constitution, is an international treaty intended to create a constitution for the European Union. ... The Council of the European Union forms, along with the European Parliament, the legislative arm of the European Union (EU). ... The word citizen may refer to: A person with a citizenship Citizen Watch Co. ... 2009 by topic 2009 (MMIX) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• List of democracy and elections-related topics

Politics is the process and method of gaining or maintaining support for public or common action: the conduct of decision-making for groups. ...

References

• Butterworths Concise Australian Legal Dictionary, 2nd edition (2002). ISBN 0-409-31568-0
• Europa Glossary