Majoritetsquorums

Majoritetsquorums, or majority quorums, are a rule in some organizations' bylaws that the quorum required to conduct business is a majority of the total voting membership. In a body with N members, a majoritetsquorum means at least floor(N/2) + 1 members must be present for proceedings to begin.

Once a majoritetsquorum is present, the body may vote according to its rules. The voting threshold for a decision is typically defined separately by bylaw: it may be a simple majority of those present, or a majority of all members. Some actions require a supermajority or unanimous approval, regardless of attendance.

By requiring attendance from more than half of all members, majoritetsquorums can enhance legitimacy and ensure broad representation. However, they can also hinder timely decision-making when attendance is low and may increase the likelihood of deadlock.

Practical considerations vary by jurisdiction and organization. Many bylaws allow proxies, mail ballots, or electronic voting to address attendance shortfalls, but some restrict voting to those physically present. The concept is most common in associations, member organizations, and some corporate or nonprofit boards.

See also: quorum, majority rule, supermajority.