Truman's total vote was 24,104,836. Dewey received 21,969,500; . Truman won by a plurality of 2,135,336, but it was the first time since 1916 that a winner has failed to capture a majority of all votes cast.
a margin by which a number exceeds another number, especially of votes
Silbentrennung
a mar·gin by which a num·ber exceeds an·oth·er number, es·pe·cial·ly of votes