Question

Which of the following are examples of a plurality? Select all that apply.
(1 point)
Responses

370 of 435 members of Congress support a bill.
370 of 435 members of Congress support a bill.

51 of 100 senators support a judicial nominee.
51 of 100 senators support a judicial nominee.

9 of 9 Supreme Court justices support a decision.
9 of 9 Supreme Court justices support a decision.

1,550 of the Democrat Party’s 4,765 delegates prefer a candidate.
1,550 of the Democrat Party’s 4,765 delegates prefer a candidate.

205 of 538 members of the Electoral College vote for a president.
205 of 538 members of the Electoral College vote for a president.

2,472 of 2,472 Republican delegates support an incumbent candidate.

1 answer

In the context of voting or decision-making, a "plurality" refers to a situation where an option receives more votes than any other option, but does not necessarily achieve a majority (more than half) of the votes.

Based on this understanding, the following responses in your list represent examples of a plurality:

  1. 370 of 435 members of Congress support a bill. - This is not a plurality; it is a majority since 370 is greater than half of 435.

  2. 51 of 100 senators support a judicial nominee. - This is also a majority, as 51 is greater than half of 100.

  3. 9 of 9 Supreme Court justices support a decision. - This is not a plurality; it is a unanimous decision.

  4. 1,550 of the Democrat Party’s 4,765 delegates prefer a candidate. - This could be a plurality depending on the context of the other candidates, but we cannot ascertain without more information about how many delegates support other candidates. However, if no other candidate received more votes, it would serve as a plurality.

  5. 205 of 538 members of the Electoral College vote for a president. - This is a plurality because 205 does not constitute a majority (there isn't a requirement to have more than half to win the presidency in the electoral college).

  6. 2,472 of 2,472 Republican delegates support an incumbent candidate. - This is not a plurality; it is a unanimous decision.

Thus, based on the analysis above, the examples that clearly represent a plurality based on the information provided are:

  • 1,550 of the Democrat Party’s 4,765 delegates prefer a candidate. (Conditionally, depending on the number of other candidates' support)
  • 205 of 538 members of the Electoral College vote for a president. (This is a straightforward plurality scenario).

If only definitive answers are sought, 205 of 538 members of the Electoral College is the clear example of a plurality.