Talk:Absolute majority
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If an absolute majority doesn't include abstentions/absences, then what is it called when there is a majority of the entire voting body? (This was the case when Turkey's parliament voted to help the U.S./U.K. "coalition" in Iraq, and the majority voted in favor, but if failed because their rules required a majority of every member, including ones who didn't vote.) –radiojon 00:13, 2003 Dec 3 (UTC)
- A late answer... this would be a "majority of all the members" rather than "a majority of those members present and voting".138.67.12.23 21:56, 14 Sep 2004 (UTC)
- An absolute majority is a majority of the entire body. A majority of just those voting is a simple majority. Check Robert's Rules. Pmadrid 01:29, 22 Sep 2004 (UTC)
[edit] Cite your sources
Can someone please independently cite the use of this term? I attempted to verify some of the information in this article and was unable to do so. A google search returned only Wikipedia and its mirrors or use of the phrase in a more general sense, not in ways consistent with the definition in this article. It did not turn up in any of my old textbooks, either. Thanks. Rossami (talk) 01:12, 27 Jan 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Ambiguous term
"Absolute majority" is, by its nature, ambiguous. Some people use it to refer to a majority, as opposed to a plurality. It can mean:
- A majority (two definitions).
- A majority of the voters that are present or participate, including those voters that abstain.
- A majority of the entire membership.
- A majority of the fixed membership.
I really think this one needs a major rewrite.
--J. J. in PA 19:42, 3 March 2007 (UTC)
