Acclamation

An acclamation, in its most common sense, is a form of election that does not use a ballot. "Acclamation" or "acclamatio" can also signify a kind of ritual greeting and expression of approval in certain social contexts in ancient Rome.

Voting

The most frequent type of acclamation is a voice vote, in which the voting group is asked who favors and who opposes the proposed candidate. In the event of a lack of opposition, the candidate is considered elected. In parliamentary procedure, acclamation is a form of unanimous consent.

This form of election is most commonly associated with papal elections (see Acclamation in papal elections), though this method was discontinued by Pope John Paul II's apostolic constitution Universi Dominici gregis. It is also sometimes found in the context of parliamentary decisions, or United States presidential nominating conventions (where it is often used to nominate the running mate and incumbent Presidents).

In Canada, a candidate for a parliamentary, legislative or municipal position is said to be elected by acclamation if he or she has no opponents for the seat, an eventuality that rarely occurs except for legislative elections in the northern territories and municipal elections. The last instance of an acclamation in an election to the Canadian House of Commons was in 1957 when George Doucett was acclaimed in a by-election following the death of his predecessor William Gourlay Blair. Just two months before, Chesley William Carter had been the last person to be acclaimed in a general election. In the Northwest Territories riding of Inuvik Boot Lake, Floyd Roland was returned by acclamation in two consecutive elections - 2003 and 2007.

Acclamation (Papal elections)

Acclamation was formerly one of the methods of papal election.

The method of electing the Roman Pontiff is contained in the constitutions of Gregory XV Æterni Patris Filius and Decet Romanum Pontificem, Urban VIII's constitution Ad Romani Pontificis Providentiam, and John Paul II's Universi Dominici Gregis, issued in 1996. Prior to the issuance of Universi Dominici Gregis, three methods of election were valid. These were, namely, by scrutiny, by compromise, and by acclamation (or "quasi-inspiration"). This last form of election consisted in all the electors present unanimously proclaiming one of the candidates Supreme Pontiff, without the formality of casting votes. As this was required to be done without previous consultation or negotiation it was looked on as proceeding from the Holy Spirit and hence was also designated "quasi-inspiration".

List of papal elections by acclamation

Recent changes in papal election law

Universi Dominici Gregis specifically disallowed both election by acclamation and by compromise - as a result the secret ballot is the sole valid method of electing a Pope. Originally, Universi Dominici Gregis allowed for a Pope to be elected with a simple majority if the usual requirement of a two-thirds super majority could not be reached after thirty-four ballots. On June 11, 2007 Pope Benedict XVI issued a Motu Proprio which requires a two-thirds majority regardless of the number of ballots it takes to elect a new Pope.

Acclamation (horse)

Acclamation (foaled 16 May 2006) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. After showing promising, but unremarkable form in his first two seasons of racing he emerged as s top class turf performer in 2010 when he won the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap and the Charles Whittingham Handicap. In the following season he improved again, repeating his wins in the Jim Murray Handicap and the Charles Whittingham Handicap and adding wins in the Eddie Read Stakes, Pacific Classic (on a synthetic track) and the Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship. At the end of the year he was voted American Champion Older Male Horse. In an abbreviated 2012 season he won a third Charles Whittingham Handicap and a second Eddie Read Stakes before being retired after winning his last seven races.

Background

Acclamation is a bay horse with a white star and a white sock on his left hind leg bred in California by Bud Johnston's Old English Rancho. He was sired by Unusual Heat who won the Amethyst Stakes, Glencairn Stakes and the Platinum Stakes in Ireland before becoming a successful breeding stallion in California. His dam Winning In Style was a granddaughter of Solidity, who was bought for $1,250 by Rancho Old English's founder Ellwood Johnson. She was a descendant of the broodmare Thorn Apple, making her a distant relative of I'll Have Another.