What is a “supermajority” in an election?

In Virginia, a “supermajority” in an election is a vote which is greater than the majority. This means that more than 50% of the total number of votes cast must be in favor of a particular proposal. In the state, supermajority requirements are mainly used in constitutional amendments, as changes to the state’s charter must be approved by a larger margin than any ordinary ballot measure. Supermajorities also apply in elections such as those for bond authorizations and voter referendums. The purpose of supermajority requirements is to provide a greater level of public support and assurance that a proposal is being adopted in the best interests of the state. In Virginia, the most commonly used supermajority is a two-thirds vote, which means that two of every three votes must be in the affirmative for the measure to pass. However, depending on the nature of the election, different supermajority requirements may be imposed. Despite their higher standards, supermajority requirements are still subject to legal challenge. In the past, courts have invalidated votes which failed to meet the threshold, regardless of the actual number of votes cast. This is why Virginia places such utmost importance on ensuring that a supermajority is achieved in all elections.

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What is a “supermajority” in an election?

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