two-thirds rule

American  

[too-thurdz] / ˈtuˌθɜrdz /

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.

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Example Sentences

Under the new two-thirds rule, that will be raised to 10 out of 15 jurors.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2025

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 • Nov. 19, 2021

Baumgartner said the two-thirds rule would give the Senate “discipline” that it needs to be able to fully fund education.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2016

The two-thirds rule was dissolved in 1936, which didn’t dissolve convention drama.

From Salon • May 14, 2016

After a protracted struggle, Mr. Van Buren, under the operation of the "two-thirds rule," was defeated, and Mr. Polk nominated.

From Something of Men I Have Known With Some Papers of a General Nature, Political, Historical, and Retrospective by Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing)