In a perfect democracy, at least 50% of people would support every decision.

The U.S. falls short of this goal.

Activate to continue

Spoken For.
Senate vote: Cloture motion // July 30, 2012Needed 60 votes to end debate

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Robert E. Bacharach of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the 10th Circuit

Who won, and how much of the country was behind them

Won the vote · Nay

34 votes, representing 83,679,481 people34.9%of U.S. adults

Lost the vote · Yea

56 votes, representing 139,344,020 people58.1%of U.S. adults

The dotted gap is 6.9% of U.S. adults whose member did not vote, voted “present,” or whose seat was vacant.

Share of U.S. adults represented, the Senate. The winning side fell 15.1 points short of a majority of the country.
SideOutcomeVotesShare of U.S. adults
NayWon3434.9%
YeaLost5658.1%
Not represented on this questionNo position taken06.9%

Senate This side won even though more senators, and more Americans, voted the other way. Ending debate needed 60 votes here, not a majority.