two-thirds rule

[ too-thurdz ]

noun

1. a former rule in the Democratic Party, effective 1832–1936, requiring a vote of at least two thirds of its national convention delegates to nominate a presidential and vice-presidential candidate.

Example Sentences

The union approved its 2018 UPS contract under the two-thirds rule even though it was opposed by a majority of the members who cast a vote.

From New York Times

Mr. Hoffa said that his hands were tied by the rule but that it also served a purpose: “We’re going to see how they’re going to be able to ratify contracts without the two-thirds rule,” he said.

From New York Times

Ken Paff, a longtime leader of Teamsters for a Democratic Union, said Mr. O’Brien built credibility with the group by pushing for these reforms at the Teamsters convention this year, where many of them were adopted, including abolition of the two-thirds rule.

From New York Times

Mr. Vairma, the Hoffa-backed candidate for president, supported some of the reform measures as well, including ending the two-thirds rule, and seemed to try to seize the reformist mantle himself at times during the campaign.

From New York Times

He later engineered a 1975 bipartisan deal that ended the two-thirds rule for stopping filibusters, so that 60 senators instead of 67 could cut off debate.

From Seattle Times