In the context of elections, what does a plurality vote mean?

A plurality vote refers to the situation in an election where a candidate receives more votes than any other candidate but does not necessarily achieve an outright majority, which would require more than 50% of the votes. This means that among multiple options, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins, regardless of whether that number constitutes a majority of the total votes cast.

This concept is essential as it reflects how elections are conducted in many jurisdictions, including various local and state elections in New Jersey. In instances where there are multiple candidates, it's possible for one candidate to lead with the highest vote count while still having less than half of the total votes. This voting method can lead to scenarios where the winner is elected despite not having the majority support, highlighting the importance of understanding plurality in the electoral process.