Plurality is when a candidate has the most votes, but still has fewer than 50% of the total votes. This is possible if there are three or more candidates. Majority means the candidate has more than 50%. To become president, a candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes out of 538 (majority). Each state has a certain amount of electoral votes which are not the same as actual votes. A candidate can win the popular vote by having the most individuals vote for them, but lose the election because another candidate earned the majority of the electoral votes.
