View source for Supermajority

{{short description|Voting requirement above 50% for passage}}
{{redirect|Two-thirds rule|the railway safety rule|Two-thirds rule (railway safety)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{politics}}

A '''supermajority''' is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level of support which is greater than the threshold of one-half used for a simple [[majority]], the latter sometimes expressed as a {{nowrap|"50%{{tsp}}+{{hsp}}1}} vote." Supermajority rules in a [[democracy]] can help to prevent a majority from eroding fundamental rights of a minority, but can also hamper efforts to respond to problems and encourage corrupt compromises at times when action is taken. Changes to [[constitution]]s, especially those with [[entrenched clause]]s, commonly require supermajority support in a [[legislature]]. In [[consensus democracy]] the supermajority rule is applied in most cases.

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==History==
The first known use of a supermajority rule was in [[Quaestio perpetua|juries]] during the 100s BC in [[ancient Rome]].<ref name="schwartzberg">{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Melissa |author-link1=Melissa Schwartzberg |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=we80AgAAQBAJ |title=Counting the Many: The Origins and Limits of Supermajority Rule |chapter=Prelude: Acclamation and Aggregation in the Ancient World - The Origin of Supermajority Rules |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=we80AgAAQBAJ |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2013 |pages=44-46 |isbn=978-0-521-19823-3 |access-date=2016-12-05 |quote=Although a supermajority was necessary to demonstrate the sufficiency of the case – the presence of adequate information to form a judgment – a majority sufficed to convict. (p.&nbsp;46)}}</ref> In some{{which|date =May 2025}} cases, two thirds of jurors had to confirm they were ready to take a decision before the matter went to a simple majority vote.

[[Pope Alexander III]] introduced the use of supermajority rule for [[papal election]]s at the [[Third Lateran Council]] in 1179.<ref>{{harvp|Schwartzberg|2013|pp= 51, 58–59}}</ref>

In the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] of the United States, a rule requiring the determination of a [[presidential nominee]] by the votes of two-thirds of delegates to the [[Democratic National Convention]] was adopted at the party's first [[presidential nominating convention]] in [[1832 Democratic National Convention|1832]].<ref>{{cite book |first = Richard Franklin |last = Bensel |title =Passion and Preferences: William Jennings Bryan and the 1896 Democratic Convention |url = https://archive.org/details/passionpreferenc00bens |url-access = limited |publisher = Cambridge University Press |year = 2008 |page = [https://archive.org/details/passionpreferenc00bens/page/n150 131]}}</ref> The two-thirds rule gave [[southern Democrats]] a ''de facto'' veto over any presidential nominee after the Civil War, which lasted until the rule was abolished in [[1936 Democratic National Convention|1936]].<ref>{{cite book |first = Bruce J. |last = Schulman |title = From Cotton Belt to Sunbelt: Federal Policy, Economic Development, and the Transformation of the South, 1938–1980 |publisher = Duke University Press |year = 1994 |page = 45}}</ref>

In the [[Federalist Papers]], Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were critical of supermajority requirements. In Federalist 22, Hamilton wrote that while preventing harmful legislation from being passed, such requirements also prevented beneficial legislation from being passed, and "its real operation is to embarrass the administration, to destroy the energy of government, and to substitute the pleasure, caprice or artifices of an insignificant, turbulent or corrupt junto, to the regular deliberations and decisions of a respectable majority." Hamilton also wrote that such a requirement would encourage "contemptible compromises of the public good".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0179 | title=Founders Online: The Federalist No. 22, &#91;14 December 1787&#93; }}</ref> In Federalist 58, Madison wrote that supermajority requirements might help impede the passage of "hasty and partial measures", but "[i]n all cases where justice or the general good might require new laws to be passed, or active measures to be pursued, the fundamental principle of free government would be reversed. It would be no longer the majority that would rule; the power would be transferred to the minority." Madison also wrote that such requirements would encourage [[secession]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0207 | title=Founders Online: The Federalist No. 58, &#91;20 February 1788&#93; }}</ref>

==Common thresholds of supermajority==
{{Wiktionary|supermajority|qualified majority}}

A [[Majority#Majority vote|majority vote]], or more than half the votes cast, is a common [[Voting#Voting basis|voting basis]]. Instead of the basis of a majority, a supermajority can be specified using any [[fraction]] or [[percentage]] which is greater than [[one-half]].<ref>See dictionary definition of "supermajority" at [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/supermajority thefreedictionary.com]. "[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Qualified+majority Qualified majority]" redirects to this definition.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Schermers |first1=Henry G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OMXToQLp21UC&pg=PA562 |title=International Institutional Law: Unity Within Diversity |last2=Blokker |first2=Niels M. |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |year=2011 |isbn=978-90-04-18798-6 |edition=Fifth Revised |location=Leiden, The Netherlands |pages=561–563}}</ref> Common supermajorities include three-fifths (60%), two-thirds (66.666...%), and three-quarters (75%). In most cases, if the supermajority fraction or percentage of votes yields a non-[[whole number]], it is [[Rounding|rounded]] to the next higher whole number.

==={{anchor|Two-thirds}}Two-thirds===<!-- This section is linked from [[Grand jury]] -->
A two-thirds vote, when unqualified, means two-thirds or more of the votes cast.<ref name="Robert2011402">{{harvp|Robert|2011|p = 402}}.p</ref><ref name="Robert2011401">{{Cite book |last=Robert |first=Henry M. |title=[[Robert's Rules of Order]] Newly Revised |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-306-82020-5 |edition=11th |location=Philadelphia |page=401 |language=zen |display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html#5 |title = Frequently Asked Questions about RONR (Question 5) |access-date = December 30, 2015 |website = The Official Robert's Rules of Order Web Site |publisher = The Robert's Rules Association |archive-date = December 24, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205021/http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html#5 |url-status = dead }}</ref> This voting basis is equivalent to the number of votes in favor being at least twice the number of votes against.<ref>{{harvp|Robert|2011|p=406}}</ref> [[Abstention]]s and absences may be excluded when calculating a two-thirds vote.<ref name="Robert2011401" />

The two-thirds requirement can be qualified to include the entire membership of a body instead of only those present and voting, but such a requirement must be explicitly stated (such as "two-thirds of those members duly elected and sworn").<ref name="Robert2011402" /> In this case, abstentions and absences count as votes against the proposal. Alternatively, the voting requirement could be specified as "two-thirds of those present", which has the effect of counting abstentions but not absences as votes against the proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions about RONR (Question 6) |url=http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html#6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224205021/http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html#6 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |website=The Official Robert's Rules of Order Web Site |publisher=The Robert's Rules Association}}</ref>

For example, if there are 100 eligible voters, 67 votes are required for a supermajority (two-thirds of 100, rounded up). However, if two voters abstain or are absent, the total decreases to 98, and the required votes for a supermajority drops to 66 (two-thirds of 98, rounded up).<ref>{{harvp|Robert|2011|p=403}}</ref>

In Italy, between 1948 and 1993, the [[Senate of the Republic (Italy)|Senate]] was divided into a number of single-seat constituencies, where, to get elected in a FPTP vote, a two-thirds majority of votes was required. Usually, it was attainable only for the [[South Tyrolean People's Party]] senators representing the German-speaking minority of [[South Tyrol]], thus most other Senators were still elected proportionally in regional constituencies, after being grouped in party lists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Il sistema elettorale per il Senato |url=http://web2003.senato.it/funz/sistelet.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618084220/http://web2003.senato.it/funz/sistelet.htm |archive-date=2009-06-18 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=web2003.senato.it|lang=it}}</ref>

Two-thirds is the most common supermajority requirement in the US Constitution, as set out in: Article I with regard to veto overrides; Article II with regard to treaty ratification and to presidential conviction and removal after an impeachment; and Article V with regard to the proposal of constitutional amendments either by Congress or via petitions by the states.

Systems that exercise consensus based on a minimum threshold of two-thirds super-majority also some-what reflect the technical mathematical attributes of [[Byzantine Fault Tolerance]] which requires a super-majority consensus agreement greater than a minimum threshold of two-thirds of a group.

===Three-fifths, or 60 percent===
Another type of supermajority is three-fifths (60 percent). This requirement could also be qualified to include the entire membership or to include those present.

In 2006, the [[Constitution of Florida]] was amended to require a 60% majority to pass new constitutional amendments by popular vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Florida_Amendment_3,_Supermajority_Vote_Required_to_Approve_a_Constitutional_Amendment_(2006)&mobileaction=toggle_view_desktop|title=Florida Amendment 3, 60% Majority Requirement for Constitutional Amendments Amendment (2006)|website=Ballotpedia}}</ref>

In [[Poland]], the [[Sejm]] ([[lower house]] of the [[Bicameralism|bicameral]] [[parliament of Poland]]) requires a three-fifths majority of MPs to overturn a [[veto]] from the [[President of Poland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Konwencja PO. Budka proponuje Koalicję 276. "Tyle głosów potrzebnych do przejęcia władzy" |url=https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114884,26762104,konwencja-po-276-glosow-potrzebnych-do-przejecia-wladzy.html |access-date=2021-07-06 |website=gazetapl |date=February 6, 2021 |language=pl}}</ref>

===55%===
For the [[2006 Montenegrin independence referendum|Montenegrin independence referendum held in 2006]] the European Union [[Diplomacy|envoy]] [[Miroslav Lajčák]] proposed independence if a 55% supermajority of votes are cast in favor with a minimum turnout of 50%. Such procedure, ultimately accepted by the [[government of Montenegro]], was somewhat criticized as overriding the traditional practice of requiring a two-thirds supermajority, as practiced in all former Yugoslav countries before (including the [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 1992|previous referendum in Montenegro]]).{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} The requirement for 50% turnout has also been criticized for causing [[Participation criterion|no-show paradoxes]].

In 2016, the [[Constitution of Colorado]] was amended to require a 55% majority to pass new constitutional amendments by popular vote. It had previously been a simple majority.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colorado Imposition of Distribution and Supermajority Requirements for Citizen-Initiated Constitutional Amendments, Amendment 71 (2016)|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Imposition_of_Distribution_and_Supermajority_Requirements_for_Citizen-Initiated_Constitutional_Amendments,_Amendment_71_(2016)|website=Ballotpedia|access-date=15 January 2017}}</ref>

==Use in parliamentary procedure==
{{Globalize|section|US|date=January 2021}}

[[Parliamentary procedure]] requires that any action that may alter the rights of a minority have a supermajority requirement. ''[[Robert's Rules of Order]]'' states:<ref name="Robert2011401" />{{Blockquote|text = As a compromise between the rights of the individual and the rights of the assembly, the principle has been established that a two-thirds vote is required to adopt any motion that: (a) suspends or modifies a rule of order previously adopted; (b) prevents the introduction of a question for consideration; (c) closes, limits, or extends the limits of debate; (d) closes nominations or the polls, or otherwise limits the freedom of nominating or voting; or (e) takes away membership.|sign = |source =}}
==Use in governments around the world==
===Australia===
To pass an amendment to the [[Constitution of Australia|Australian Constitution]], a [[Referendums in Australia|referendum]] is required and must achieve a "[[double majority]]": a majority of those voting nationwide, as well as separate majorities in a majority of states (i.e., 4 out of 6 states).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-16 |title=Referendums and plebiscites |url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/having-your-say/elections-and-voting/referendums-and-plebiscites/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808025616/https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/having-your-say/elections-and-voting/referendums-and-plebiscites/ |archive-date=2023-08-08 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Parliamentary Education Office |language=en |quote=Section 128 of the Constitution says a referendum is passed if it is approved by a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states — a double majority.}}</ref> Furthermore, in circumstances where a specific state is affected by a referendum, a majority of voters in that state must also agree to the change<ref>{{Cite web |title=COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA CONSTITUTION ACT - SECT 128. Mode of altering the Constitution. |url=https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/coaca430/s128.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624131818/https://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/coaca430/s128.html |archive-date=2023-06-24 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=[[Australasian Legal Information Institute]] |quote=No alteration diminishing the proportionate representation of any State in either House of the Parliament, or the minimum number of representatives of a State in the House of Representatives, or increasing, diminishing, or otherwise altering the limits of the State, or in any manner affecting the provisions of the Constitution in relation thereto, shall become law unless the majority of the electors voting in that State approve the proposed law.}}</ref>—referred to as a "triple majority".{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

===Bangladesh===
Article 142 of the [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] stipulates a bill in the [[Jatiya Sangsad]] must expressly state in its short title its purpose is to amend a provision of the constitution. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority in the unicameral [[Jatiya Sangsad]] to become effective.

===Canada===
In Canada, most constitutional amendments can be passed only if identical resolutions are adopted by the House of Commons, the Senate, and two-thirds or more of the provincial legislative assemblies representing at least 50 percent of the national population.

===Denmark===
Article 20 of the [[Constitution of Denmark]] states that if the government or parliament wants to cede parts of national sovereignty to an international body such as the [[European Union]] or the [[United Nations]], it has to get a five-sixths majority in the [[Folketing]] (150 out of 179 seats).<ref name="Min Grundlov p. 27">{{cite book |last1=Pedersen |first1=Susannah |last2=Christensen |first2=Jens Peter |author-link2=Jens Peter Christensen |url=http://www.ft.dk/Dokumenter/Publikationer/Grundloven/~/media/PDF/publikationer/Grundloven/Min_Grundlov.ashx |format=PDF |title=Min grundlov - Grundloven med forklaringer |chapter=03 - Regeringen |edition=13 |publisher=Folketingets Kommunikationsenhed |date=November 2015 |pages=27–28 |isbn=978-87-7982-172-9 |quote=Til vedtagelse af lovforslag herom kræves et flertal på fem sjettedele af Folketingets medlemmer. Opnås et sådant flertal ikke, men dog det til vedtagelse af almindelige lovforslag nødvendige flertal, og opretholder regeringen forslaget, forelægges det folketingsvælgerne til godkendelse eller forkastelse efter de for folkeafstemninger i §42 fastsatte regler. }}</ref> If there is only a simple majority, a [[referendum]] must be held on the subject.<ref name="Min Grundlov p. 27" />

===European Union===
====Council====
{{Main|Voting in the Council of the European Union}}

The [[Council of the European Union]] uses [[Voting in the Council of the European Union#Qualified majority voting|'Qualified majority voting']] for the majority of issues brought before the institution. However, for matters of extreme importance for individual member states, [[Unanimity#Voting|unanimous voting]] is implemented.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_1.4.2.html|title=Intergovernmental decision-making procedures - EU fact sheets - European Parliament|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|access-date=May 9, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201053950/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_1.4.2.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> An example of this is [[Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union]], whereby a member state can have its rights suspended with the unanimous approval of all other member states.

After the accession of Croatia, on 1{{nbsp}}July 2013, at least 260 votes out of a total of 352 by at least 15 member states were required for legislation to be adopted by qualified majority. From 1{{nbsp}}July 2013, the pass condition translated into:
# At least 15 (or 18, if proposal was not made by the commission) countries,
# At least 260 of the total 352 voting weights,
# At least 313.6&nbsp;million people represented by the states that vote in favour.

====Parliament====
Requirements to reach an absolute majority is a common feature of voting in the [[European Parliament]] (EP) where under the [[European Union legislative procedure#Ordinary legislative procedure|ordinary legislative procedure]] the EP is required to act by an absolute majority if it is to either amend or reject proposed legislation.<ref>See Article 294(7) of the [[Treaty on the functioning of the European Union]].</ref>

===Finland===
According to [[Law of Finland|Finnish Law]], when a new legislative proposal would in some way add, alter or remove a part of the Finnish constitution, a bill requires a 2/3 majority in the [[Parliament of Finland]]. In other words, a legislative proposal that would modify, add or remove a part of the [[Constitution of Finland|Finnish Constitution]] requires at least the approval of 134 out of 200 representatives in the [[Parliament of Finland]].

===India===
[[Amendment of the Constitution of India|Article 368]] of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]] requires a supermajority of two-thirds of members present and voting in each house of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]], subject to at least by a majority of the total membership of each House of Parliament, to amend the constitution. In addition, in matters affecting the states and judiciary, at least above half of all the states need to ratify the amendment.

===Italy===
{{Main|President of Italy#Election}}

The [[President of Italy]] is elected by an electoral college consisting of both chambers of [[Italian Parliament|Parliament]] sitting in [[joint session]] with 58 electors from the [[Regions of Italy|country's 20 regions]]. In the first three rounds of voting, a candidate must get two-thirds of the votes to win, but from the fourth round onwards only an absolute majority is needed. Reforms to the [[Constitution]] need to achieve a supermajority of two-thirds of the votes both in the [[Camera dei Deputati|Chamber]] and in the [[Senate (Italy)|Senate]] to avoid the possibility of being sent to popular vote in order to be confirmed through a referendum.

===Japan===
Amendments to the [[Constitution of Japan|constitution]] require a two-thirds majority in both houses of the [[National Diet]] and a simple majority in a referendum.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://japan.kantei.go.jp/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html |title = The Constitution of Japan |access-date = December 30, 2015 |website = japan.kantei.go.jp }}</ref>

===New Zealand===
Section 268 of the [[Electoral Act 1993|Electoral Act]] sets out a number of 'reserved provisions'. These provisions include section 17(1) of the [[Constitution Act 1986]] (regarding [[New Zealand Parliament|Parliament]]'s term length), section 35 of the Electoral Act (regarding the drawing of electoral boundaries), and section 74 of the Electoral Act (designating 18 as the minimum voting age). For a 'reserved provision' to be amended or repealed, a three-quarters majority is required in the [[New Zealand House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] or a majority is needed in a national [[referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title = Electoral Act 1993 |url = https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/DLM310495.html |website = New Zealand Legislation |access-date = September 10, 2021}}</ref>

===Nigeria===
Under the [[Constitution of Nigeria]] a two-thirds majority is required in the [[National Assembly (Nigeria)|National Assembly]] to alter the Constitution, enact legislation in a few areas, or remove office holders from some positions, such as Speaker. Legislative override or impeachment of the executive at either the state or federal government level also requires a two-thirds majority of the corresponding legislative assembly.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria |url = http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm |website = Nigeria law |access-date = November 12, 2018}}</ref>

===Philippines===
Under the 1987 [[Constitution of the Philippines]], a two-thirds majority of both chambers of the [[Congress of the Philippines]] (the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]] and the [[Senate of the Philippines|Senate]]) meeting in [[joint session]] is required to [[Declaration of war|declare war]].<ref name="Phil">[http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/ 1987 Constitution of the Philippines], ''Official Gazette''.</ref> A two-thirds majority of both chambers is required to override a presidential [[veto]].<ref name="Phil"/><ref>Elliot Bulmer, [https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/presidential-veto-powers-primer.pdf International IDEA Constitution-Building Primer 14: Presidential Veto Powers Primer], [[International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance]], 2d ed. 2017, p. 14.</ref> A two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress voting separately is required to designate the [[Vice President of the Philippines|vice president]] as [[acting president]] in the event that a majority of the Cabinet certifies that the president is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office" but the president declares that no such inability exists.<ref name="Phil"/> A two-thirds vote of either chamber is required to suspend or expel a member from that chamber.<ref name="Phil"/>

Under the 1987 Constitution, "The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a [[Constitutional Convention (Philippines)|constitutional convention]], or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention."<ref name="Phil"/> A three-quarters vote of all the members of the Congress is required to propose an amendment to the Constitution; the proposed amendment is submitted to the people for ratification (by a majority of the votes cast) in a [[plebiscite]].<ref name="Phil"/>

A two-thirds majority of the Senate is required to ratify treaties, and to remove an [[Impeachment in the Philippines|impeached]] official from office.<ref name="Phil"/> Impeachment by the House, which is the required first step in the removal process, only requires one-third of Representatives to sign a petition (specifically a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment).<ref name="Phil"/><ref>[https://www.economist.com/asia/2000/11/09/impeachment-in-the-philippines Impeachment in the Philippines: Joseph Estrada faces a tough fight to hold on to his presidency], ''The Economist'' (November 9, 2000).</ref><ref>Seth Mydans, [https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/14/world/philippine-congress-impeaches-president-on-graft-charges.html Philippine Congress Impeaches President on Graft Charges], ''New York Times'' (November 14, 2000).</ref>

===Singapore===

Different amendment procedures apply to different parts of the Constitution. Most of the Articles of the Constitution may be amended by a bill enacted by Parliament if there is at least a supermajority of two-thirds of all elected MPs voting in favour of the bill during its Second and Third Readings in Parliament.<ref name="Art 5(2)">Constitution, Art. 5(2).</ref> This is in contrast to ordinary bills, which only need to be approved by at least a simple majority of all the MPs present and voting.<ref>Constitution, Art. 57(1).</ref>

However, the ruling [[People's Action Party]] (PAP) has commanded a majority of more than two-thirds of the seats in Parliament since 1968. Thus, the more stringent amendment requirement has not imposed any major limitation on Parliament's ability to amend the Constitution.<ref name="Neo & Lee 165">Neo & Lee, p. 165.</ref>{{failed verification|date=June 2022}}

===South Korea===
====Legislation====
A three-fifths majority of legislators is required for a bill to be put to a vote in the [[National Assembly (South Korea)|National Assembly]] in order to prevent the ruling party from passing laws without the support of opposition parties.<ref>{{Cite web |title = The Tyranny of the Minority in South Korea |url = https://thediplomat.com/2014/09/the-tyranny-of-the-minority-in-south-korea/ |website = The Diplomat |access-date = December 30, 2015}}</ref> However, if a bill does not achieve the required three-fifths majority at one session without also being rejected, it must then be voted on at the next session even if less than three-fifths of legislators agree to do so.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nknews.org/2020/12/controversial-south-korean-anti-leaflet-bill-delayed-after-filibuster-attempt/ | title=Controversial South Korean 'anti-leaflet' bill delayed after filibuster attempt | website=NK News | date=December 9, 2020 }}</ref> Additionally, if the [[President of South Korea|President]] vetoes a bill, the veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of legislators.<ref name="refworld.org">{{cite web | url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b4dd14.html | website=Refworld | title=Constitution of the Republic of Korea }}</ref>

====Impeachment====
According to Article 65 of the [[Constitution of South Korea]], impeachment of the President requires a two-third majority of legislators to be effective.<ref name="refworld.org"/>

====Judicial review====
According to Article 113 of the Constitution of South Korea, the [[Constitutional Court of South Korea|Constitutional Court]] requires a two-thirds majority of its judges to issue rulings nullifying laws, removing impeached officials or dissolving a political party.<ref name="refworld.org"/>

====Constitutional amendments====
According to Article 130 of the Constitution of South Korea, amendments to the constitution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of legislators and then approved by voters at a referendum in order to become effective.<ref name="refworld.org"/>

===Spain===
====Constitutional reform====
The 1978 Constitution states that a three-fifths majority in both [[Congress of Deputies]] and [[Senate of Spain]] is needed to pass a constitutional reform, but if a two-thirds majority is reached in the Congress of Deputies, an [[absolute majority]] of senators is enough to pass the proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Title X of the Constitution: Constitutional Reform (in Spanish) |url = http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/titulos/articulos.jsp?ini=166&fin=169&tipo=2 |website = Constitución.es |access-date = June 9, 2018}}</ref>

Nevertheless, when a new Constitution is proposed or the proposal's goal is to reform the Preliminary Title, the Chapter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms or the Title on the Crown, the supermajority becomes significantly harder:
* A supermajority of two-thirds must be reached in both Congress of Deputies and Senate.
* Both chambers must be dissolved.
* The new elected chambers must approve the proposal by a new two-thirds supermajority.
* Finally, the proposal is passed by [[majority]] in [[referendum]].

The first way has been used twice (1992 and 2011), but the second has never been used.

====Other legal procedures====
The Spanish Constitution states other supermajorities:
* Members of the [[General Council of the Judiciary]] are appointed by the Congress of Deputies and Senate of Spain, and each appointment needs a three-fifths majority.<ref name="spanishconstitution">{{Cite web |title = The Constitution (in Spanish) |url = http://www.congreso.es/consti/constitucion/indice/titulos/articulos.jsp?ini=117&fin=127&tipo=2 |website = Constitución.es |access-date = June 9, 2018}}</ref>
* Members of the [[Constitutional Court of Spain|Constitutional Court]] are also appointed by both Congress of Deputies and Senate of Spain, and each appointment needs a three-fifths majority.<ref name="spanishconstitution"/>
* The president of the [[RTVE]], the public radio and television broadcaster, must be elected by two-thirds majority of the Congress of Deputies.<ref>{{Cite web |title = The Congress passes that the president RTVE will be appointed by consensus again (in Spanish) |url =https://www.eldiario.es/sociedad/Congreso-inmediatamente-presidente-RTVE-exigencia_0_657234417.html |website = eldiario.es |date =June 22, 2017 |access-date = June 9, 2018}}</ref>

====Autonomous communities====
Each Spanish [[Autonomous communities of Spain|autonomous community]] has its own [[Statute of Autonomy]], working like a local constitution that is subject to the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978|1978 Constitution]] and national powers.

The Statute of Autonomy of the Canary Islands states that its economic and fiscal regime and electoral law need a two-thirds majority of the Parliament to be modified.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Statute of Autonomy of the Canary Islands (in Spanish) |url =http://www.parcan.es/pub/estatuto.pdf | access-date = June 9, 2018}}</ref> On its behalf, the [[Ombudsman]] needs a three-fifths majority to be appointed. Also, if a two-thirds majority votes against a law project, it must be proposed to the following session.

===Taiwan===
Before the [[Additional Articles of the Constitution of the Republic of China]] in 2005, constitutional amendments needed to be passed by the [[National Assembly (Republic of China)|National Assembly]]. Since the Additional Articles were ratified on June 7, 2005, the National Assembly was abolished. Amendments of the constitution need to be proposed by more than one-quarter of members of the Legislative Yuan, passed by three-quarters of those present in the meeting, the presence of which must surpass three-quarters of all members of the Legislative Yuan, followed by the approval of more than half (50%) of all eligible voters in a [[referendum]].

===Turkey===
In Turkey, [[constitutional amendment]]s need a three fifths majority (360 votes) to be put forward to a referendum and a two-thirds majority (400 votes) to be ratified directly.

===Ukraine===

====Constitutional amendments====
According to Article 155 of the [[Constitution of Ukraine]], amendments to the constitution, except for Chapter I — "General Principles," Chapter III — "Elections. Referendum", and Chapter XIII — "Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine", must be previously approved by a simple majority of the constitutional composition of the [[Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine]] and then passed by a two-thirds majority of the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at the succeeding regular session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

According to Article 156 of the Constitution of Ukraine, amendments to Chapter I — "General Principles," Chapter III — "Elections. Referendum", and Chapter XIII — "Introducing Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine" must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and then approved by voters at a referendum in order to become effective.

===United Kingdom===

====UK Parliament====
A rare example of a supermajority requirement affecting the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] is the need for a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] and the [[House of Lords]] to amend or dissolve the [[Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press]], insofar as it applies in [[England and Wales]].<ref name="bbcpressregulation">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36034956 |title=Press regulation: What you need to know |work=[[BBC News]] |date=13 April 2016 |access-date=7 July 2024 |quote=While an act of parliament can be amended with a simple majority, it was possible to insert a clause in the Royal Charter requiring any changes to be approved by a two-thirds majority.}}</ref><ref name="independentpressregulation">{{cite news |last=Burrell |first=Ian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/press-regulation-judge-for-yourself-the-royal-charter-in-full-8910572.html |title=Press regulation: Judge for yourself - the Royal Charter in full |work=[[The Independent]] |date=29 October 2013 |access-date=7 July 2024}}</ref>

Before its repeal, the [[Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011]] provided that the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom House of Commons]] could be dissolved and an election held before the expiry of its 5-year term by a vote of two-thirds of the membership of the House of Commons. The Act also provided that Parliament could alternatively be dissolved if the House of Commons passed a motion of no-confidence in the government and no new government were to win a motion of confidence within two weeks of the original vote of no-confidence.

The two-thirds supermajority provision for an early dissolution and election was triggered only once, resulting in the [[2017 United Kingdom General Election]]. The previous election in [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]] had occurred due to the natural expiry of the 5-year term of the House of Commons.

[[Parliamentary supremacy]] meant that theoretically the Act could be circumvented by a government with a majority that wanted to bypass the requirement for a two-thirds vote by passing an act that stated, "Notwithstanding the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, a general election will be called on DATE". This was precisely [[Early Parliamentary General Election Act 2019|what was done]] to initiate the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|election in 2019]], the final election held whilst the Fixed-term Parliaments Act was in effect.

During the 2019 election, both the governing [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] and the opposition [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] expressed a desire to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act and restore the traditional, centuries-old system under which elections could be held at any time, subject to the 5-year maximum term limit established by the [[Parliament Act 1911]]. Such a repeal would only require a simple majority.

Ultimately, the Fixed-term Parliaments Act was repealed by the [[Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022]], thereby removing any supermajority requirement and restoring the previous [[royal prerogative]] power to dissolve the House of Commons at any time during its 5-year term.

====Devolved parliaments====
The devolved legislatures in [[Northern Ireland Assembly|Northern Ireland]], [[Scottish Parliament|Scotland]] and [[Senedd Cymru|Wales]] all usually operate with [[Fixed-term election|fixed intervals]] between ordinary elections. However, the acts governing the operation of those legislatures all allow for an early election to take place if a motion to that effect is approved by two-thirds of the total number of members of the legislature in question.<ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1998 |chapter=47 |act=Northern Ireland Act 1998 |section=32 |date=19 November 1998 |accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1998 |chapter=46 |act=Scotland Act 1998 |section=3 |date=19 November 1998|accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |year=2006 |chapter=32 |act=Government of Wales Act 2006 |section=5 |date=25 July 2006|accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref>

Section 31A of the [[Scotland Act 1998]]<ref>{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1998 |chapter=46 |act=Scotland Act 1998 |section=31A |date=19 November 1998|accessdate=29 July 2023}}</ref> and Section 111A of the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]]<ref name=2006c.32>{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=2006 |chapter=32 |act=Government of Wales Act 2006 |section=111A |date=25 July 2006|accessdate=29 July 2023}}</ref> provide that certain provisions of those Acts relating to the functions of and elections to the respective Scottish and Welsh devolved legislatures are protected from amendment by those legislatures, unless a two-thirds supermajority of the total number of members votes in favour.

Regarding Scotland, the protected provisions are:<ref>{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1998|chapter=46 |act=Scotland Act 1998|section=31 |date=19 November 1998|accessdate=29 July 2023}}</ref>
*Who may vote at Scottish Parliament elections
*The system of election for members of the Scottish Parliament
*The number of Scottish Parliament constituencies
*The number of members returned by each constituency

The protected provisions regarding Wales are the same as those in Scotland; in addition, there are two Wales-specific provisions:<ref name=2006c.32/>
*The name of the legislature
*The number of individuals permitted to be appointed Welsh Minister or Deputy Welsh Minister

A two-thirds supermajority vote is required in the Scottish Parliament in order to amend or dissolve the Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press, insofar as it applies in Scotland.<ref name="bbcpressregulation"/><ref name="independentpressregulation"/>

====Local authorities====
[[Principal council]]s in Wales are required to pass a resolution with a two-thirds supermajority vote in order to change the system by which they are elected, with the permitted choices being [[First-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post]] and [[single transferable vote]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asc/2021/1/part/1/crossheading/voting-systems-for-elections-to-principal-councils |title=Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (2021 asc. 1): Voting systems for elections to principal councils |website=[[legislation.gov.uk]] |publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]] |date=20 January 2021 |access-date=7 July 2024}}</ref>

[[Districts of England|District councils in England]] are required to pass a resolution with a two-thirds supermajority vote in order to change their 'electoral scheme,' i.e. what proportion of councillors is elected at each ordinary election, with permitted proportions being one-third, one-half or all councillors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/28/part/2/chapter/1 |title=Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (2007 c. 28), part 2 chapter 1: Power of district councils in England to change electoral scheme |website=[[legislation.gov.uk]] |publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]] |date=30 October 2007 |access-date=7 July 2024}}</ref>

The [[London Assembly]] may, by a two-thirds supermajority vote, veto the [[Mayor of London|mayor's]] draft strategies.<ref>{{cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1999 |chapter=29 |act=Greater London Authority Act 1999 |section=42B |date=11 November 1999 |accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref>

===United Nations===
The [[United Nations Security Council]] requires a supermajority of the fixed membership on substantive matters (procedural matters require a simple majority of those present and voting). According to Article 27 of the [[United Nations Charter]], at least nine of the Security Council's 15 members (i.e., a three-fifths supermajority) must vote in favor of a draft [[United Nations Security Council resolution|resolution]] in order to achieve passage. Specifying the fixed membership has the effect of making abstentions count as votes against—absences are not normal but would be treated the same way.

This is useful for the five permanent members of the council ([[China]], [[France]], the [[Russia|Russian Federation]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]]) because a vote against from any one of them constitutes a [[United Nations Security Council veto power|veto]], which cannot be overridden. Permanent members who do not support a measure but are unwilling to be seen to block it against the wishes of the majority of the council, tend to abstain; abstentions by veto powers are generally seen by close observers of the UN{{according to whom|date=September 2016}} as the equivalent of not vetoing votes against and have the same impact on the decision of the Security Council.

===United States===
====Federal government====
The [[Constitution of the United States]] requires supermajorities for certain significant actions to occur.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hudiburg |first1=Jane A. |title=Supermajority Votes in the House |date=July 24, 2018 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |location=Washington, DC |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/98-778.pdf |access-date=8 September 2018}}</ref>

[[Constitutional amendment#United States|Amendments]] to the Constitution may be proposed in one of two ways: a two-thirds supermajority votes of each body of [[United States Congress]] or a [[Convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution|convention]] called by Congress on application of two-thirds (currently 34) of the states. Once proposed, the amendment must be ratified by three-quarters (currently 38) of the states (either through the state legislatures, or ratification conventions, whichever "mode of ratification" Congress selects).

Congress may pass bills by simple majority votes. If the [[President of the United States|president]] [[Veto#United States|vetoes]] a bill, Congress may [[veto override|override]] the veto by a two-thirds supermajority of both houses.

A treaty must be ratified by a two-thirds supermajority of the Senate to [[Entry into force|enter into force and effect]].

Section 4 of the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] gives Congress a role to play in the event of a presidential disability. If the vice president and a majority of the president's cabinet declare that the president is unable to serve in that role, the vice president becomes acting president. Within 21 days of such a declaration (or, if Congress is in recess when a president is disabled, 21 days after Congress reconvenes), Congress must vote by two-thirds supermajorities to continue the disability declaration; otherwise, such declaration expires after the 21 days and the president would at that time "resume" discharging all the powers and duties of the office. {{Asof|2025|January}}, Section 4 has never been invoked.

The House may, by a simple majority vote, [[Federal impeachment in the United States|impeach]] a federal official (such as, but not limited to, the president, vice president, or a federal judge). Removal from office requires a two-thirds supermajority of the Senate. In 1842, the House failed to impeach president [[John Tyler]]. In 1868, the Senate fell one vote short of removing president [[Andrew Johnson]] following his [[Impeachment of Andrew Johnson|impeachment]]. In 1999, efforts to remove [[Bill Clinton]] following [[Impeachment of Bill Clinton|his impeachment in 1998]] fell just short of a simple majority, and 17 votes short of the two-thirds supermajority. The impeachment procedure was last used in 2021, when president [[Donald Trump]] was [[Second impeachment of Donald Trump|impeached]] for a second time during his first term and subsequently acquitted. Each chamber may expel one of its own members by a two-thirds supermajority vote; this last happened when the House [[Expulsion from the United States Congress|expelled]] [[George Santos]] in 2023.

The [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|14th Amendment]] (section 3) bars a person from federal or state office if, after having previously taken an [[Oath of office#United States|oath to support the Constitution]] as a federal or state officer, "''shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof''". However, both the House and Senate may jointly override this restriction with a two-thirds supermajority vote each.

A two-thirds supermajority in the [[United States Senate|Senate]] is 67 out of 100 senators, while a two-thirds supermajority in the House is 290 out of 435 representatives. However, since many votes take place without every seat in the House filled and representatives participating, it does not often require 67 senators or 290 representatives to achieve this supermajority.

Apart from these constitutional requirements, [[Cloture#United States|a Senate rule]] (except in cases covered by the [[nuclear option]], or of a rule change) requires an absolute supermajority of three-fifths to move to a vote through a [[cloture]] motion, which closes debate on a bill or nomination, thus ending a [[filibuster]] by a minority of members. In current practice, the mere threat of a filibuster prevents passing almost any measure that has less than three-fifths agreement in the Senate, 60 of the 100 senators if every seat is filled.

====State government====
For [[State legislature (United States)|state legislatures in the United States]], ''[[Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure|Mason's Manual]]'' says, "A deliberative body cannot by its own act or rule require a two-thirds vote to take any action where the constitution or controlling authority requires only a majority vote. To require a two-thirds vote, for example, to take any action would be to give to any number more than one-third of the members the power to defeat the action and amount to a delegation of the powers of the body to a minority."<ref>{{cite parl |title=MAS |pages=353 |edition=2000 |year=2000}}</ref> Some states require a supermajority for passage of a constitutional amendment or statutory initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/supermajority-vote-requirements.aspx |title=Supermajority Vote Requirements |access-date=December 31, 2015 |website=www.ncsl.org |publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures}}</ref>

Many state constitutions allow or require amendments to their own constitutions to be proposed by supermajorities of the state legislature; these amendments must usually be approved by the voters at one or more subsequent elections. Michigan, for instance, allows the Legislature to propose an amendment to the Michigan Constitution; it must then be ratified by the voters at the next general election (unless a special election is called).<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Michigan Legislature |title=Article XII § 1 |url=http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(p22jjt45odksm455blth42nj))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-XII-1 |work=[[Constitution of Michigan]] of 1963 |access-date=December 30, 2015}}</ref>

In most states, the state legislature may override a [[Governor (United States)|governor]]'s veto of legislation. In most states, a two-thirds supermajority of both chambers is required.<ref>{{cite web |first=Karen |last= Shanton |url=http://www.ncsl.org/blog/2013/10/28/wrapup-of-veto-overrides-in-states-with-veto-proof-legislatures-and-divided-government.aspx |title=Wrapup of Veto Overrides in States with Veto-Proof Legislatures and Divided Government |work=NCSL Blog |publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures |date = October 28, 2013}}</ref> However, in some states (e.g., [[Illinois]], [[Maryland]] and [[North Carolina]]), only a three-fifths supermajority is required,<ref>{{cite book |first=Dan |last=Friedman |title=The Maryland State Constitution: A Reference Guide |series=Reference Guides to the State Constitutions of the United States, No. 41 |publisher=Praeger |year=2006 |page=75}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Ann M. |last=Lousin |title=The Illinois State Constitution |series=Oxford Commentaries on the State Constitutions of the United States |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2011 |pages=119–21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/legislation/constitution/ncconstitution.html |title=North Carolina State Constitution |access-date = May 3, 2016}}</ref> while in Kentucky and West Virginia only a normal majority is needed.

One common provision of so-called "[[taxpayer bill of rights]]" laws (either in state statutes or [[State constitution (United States)|state constitutions]]) is requirement of a supermajority vote in the state legislature to increase taxes. The [[National Conference of State Legislatures]] reported in 2010 that fifteen states required a supermajority vote (either a three-fifths, two-thirds or three-quarters majority vote in both chambers) to pass some or all tax increases.<ref>{{cite web |first = Bert |last = Waisanen |url = http://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/state-tax-and-expenditure-limits-2010.aspx |title = State Tax and Expenditure Limits—2010 |publisher = [[National Conference of State Legislatures]] |year = 2010}}</ref>

Supermajority requirements for tax increases have been criticized as "deeply flawed" by a report by the [[progressivism|progressive]] [[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]] because such requirements empower a minority of legislators, making it difficult to close [[Tax break|tax loopholes]] or fund transportation [[infrastructure]], and also may encourage [[pork barrel|pork-barrel]] spending as a trade-off to ensure passage of a tax increase (see [[logrolling]]).<ref>{{cite web |first = Nicholas |last = Johnson |url = http://www.cbpp.org/research/a-super-bad-idea-requiring-a-two-thirds-legislative-supermajority-to-raise-taxes-protects |title = A Super Bad Idea: Requiring a Two-thirds Legislative Supermajority to Raise Taxes Protects Special Interest Tax Breaks and Gives Budget Veto Power to a Small Minority of Legislators |publisher = [[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]] |date = April 25, 2006}}</ref>

==International agreements==
The [[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court]] requires a seven-eighths majority of participating states to be amended.

==See also==
* [[Byzantine Fault Tolerance]] (mathematical proof for ⅔ consensus threshold)
* [[Consensus decision-making]]
* [[Double majority]]
* [[Group decision-making]]
* [[Minoritarianism]]
* [[Unanimity]]
* [[Voting in the Council of the European Union]]—described the "qualified majority voting" requirement in that body

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Majorities}}
{{Parliamentary procedure}}

[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Voting theory]]
[[Category:Majority]]
[[Category:Power sharing]]