A quorum is the minimum number of members of a group that must be present at a meeting to make the proceedings of that meeting valid. Without a quorum, decisions made at the meeting may not be legally or constitutionally binding. The required quorum is usually defined in an organisation’s bylaws, constitution, or governing rules.

Quorum is typically calculated as a fraction or percentage of the total membership. The most common rule is a simple majority (more than half). Other common rules include two-thirds, three-quarters, or a fixed number. Always round up to the nearest whole number — you cannot have a fraction of a person.

Quorum for attendance refers to the minimum number of members who must be present for the meeting to be validly constituted. Quorum for voting refers to the minimum number of votes required to pass a motion. Both thresholds may differ — for example, a meeting might require 50% attendance but pass motions by a two-thirds vote of those present.

If quorum is not reached, the meeting typically cannot proceed to conduct official business or pass binding resolutions. Options include adjourning to a later date, reducing quorum requirements if bylaws permit, or contacting absent members to attend or submit proxies. Some rules allow a reconvened meeting to proceed with fewer members if quorum was not met originally.

A supermajority quorum requires more than a simple majority — typically two-thirds (66.67%) or three-quarters (75%) of members. Supermajority rules are often applied for major decisions such as constitutional amendments, mergers, or removal of officers, where a higher level of consensus is important. This calculator supports two-thirds, three-quarters, and any custom fraction you define.

Whether proxy votes count towards quorum depends on the organisation’s bylaws and jurisdiction. In many corporate and HOA settings, proxy votes do count towards establishing quorum. In parliamentary bodies and some membership organisations, only physically or virtually present members count. Always check your governing documents for the specific rule.

Under Robert’s Rules of Order, the default quorum for a deliberative assembly is a majority of all members (more than half). Organisations are encouraged to define their own quorum in their bylaws, which may be lower to make meetings more practical. If no quorum is specified, Robert’s Rules defaults to a majority of the entire membership.

HOA quorum requirements vary by state and governing documents, but common thresholds include 10%, 20%, 25%, or one-third of members or voting power. Many HOAs require a higher quorum for major decisions like special assessments or bylaw amendments. Always consult your HOA’s CC&Rs and bylaws for the exact requirement that applies to your community.