A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simple majority in order to have effect. For example: in some jurisdictions, parliamentary procedure requires that any action that may alter the rights of the minority has a supermajority requirement (such as a two-thirds majority). Changes to constitutions, especially those with entrenched clauses, commonly require supermajority support in a legislature.
The United States Senate requires a supermajority of 60 percent to move to a vote through a cloture motion, allowing a large minority to filibuster.
The United States Constitution requires a supermajority of two-thirds of both houses of Congress to propose a Congress-driven constitutional amendment; it also requires a three-fourths supermajority of state legislatures for final adoption of any constitutional amendment, as well as a two-thirds supermajority to pass a bill over the president's veto.
Along with the initiative and referendum, it was one of the major electoral reforms advocated by leaders of the Progressive movement in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
However a referendum may also require the support of a super-majority A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simplemajority in order to have effect.
If a majority of those voting, as well as separate majorities in each of a majority of states, vote in favour of the amendment, it is presented for Royal Assent, given in the Queen's name by the Governor-General.
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