How Many Votes Are Needed For Speaker Of The House 2025. The magic number is usually 218, a simple majority of the 435 members in the house. The candidate to become speaker needs a majority of the votes from house members who are present and voting.

The speaker is typically elected with a simple majority of the house—with 435 members, that means the threshold is. In addition to the change to the motion to vacate, the rules package also tweaks the names of two house committees, allows committees to adopt rules on electronic voting, and.