[2] Other related terms containing the word "majority" have their own meanings, which may sometimes be inconsistent in usage.
[7] This has led to some confusion and misuse of the terms "majority" or "relative majority" to mean what is correctly called the margin of victory, i.e. the number of votes separating the first-place finisher from the second-place finisher.
[6] e.g. in the European Union, the Council uses a double majority rule, requiring 55% of member states, representing at least 65% of the total EU population in favor.
For example, assume that votes are cast for three people for an office: Alice, Bob, and Carol.
A temporary majority exists when the positions of the members present and voting in a meeting of a deliberative assembly on a subject are not representative of the membership as a whole.
Parliamentary procedure contains some provisions designed to protect against a temporary majority violating the rights of absentees.
Another protection against a decision being made by a temporary majority is the motion to reconsider and enter on the minutes, by which two members can suspend action on a measure until it is called up at a meeting on another day.
[21] The expression "at least 50% +1" may mislead when "majority" is actually intended, where the total number referred to is odd.