In electoral terms, what does plurality mean?

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In electoral terms, what does plurality mean?

Plurality means the winner is the candidate who has more votes than any other candidate in the contest, even if that total isn’t a majority of all votes. In single-member districts that use first-past-the-post, the seat goes to the person with the most votes, not necessarily someone with more than half. This matters because votes for other candidates can split the field, allowing someone to win with less than 50%. The other ideas describe a majority (over half) or a guaranteed seat, which aren’t required by plurality.

Plurality means the winner is the candidate who has more votes than any other candidate in the contest, even if that total isn’t a majority of all votes. In single-member districts that use first-past-the-post, the seat goes to the person with the most votes, not necessarily someone with more than half. This matters because votes for other candidates can split the field, allowing someone to win with less than 50%. The other ideas describe a majority (over half) or a guaranteed seat, which aren’t required by plurality.

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