Final answer:
A simple majority refers to a voting system where a decision is made if more than 50% of votes cast are in favor. Supermajority requirements, such as 60% or two-thirds, come into play for more critical or consequential decisions. The presence of a quorum is crucial to ensure the validity of the voting process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "a simple majority" usually refers to a voting requirement where more than 50% of the votes cast are needed for a decision to be made in a meeting. This means that the winning option must receive 50 percent plus one of the votes cast. A simple majority is the most common way of making decisions in democratic settings, as it represents the choice of the majority. However, when a vote requires more than a majority, it is referred to as a supermajority, which includes thresholds like 60%, two-thirds, or even three-quarters of the votes to pass legislation or make significant changes like amending a constitution. The need for a quorum, a majority of members present, ensures that a sufficient number of participants are available to make the vote legitimate, though not all need to vote if they are present and capable.
In the context of conducting the business of a meeting, it is essential to understand these voting rules and the differences between a simple majority and a supermajority. A simple majority can facilitate quicker changes, whereas a supermajority rule preserves the status quo by making it harder to enact changes, emphasizing the importance of the decision at hand. In cases where there is no clear majority or a required supermajority is not achieved, the status quo typically prevails, meaning no change occurs.