Animals can use a voting system

Animals that live in groups have been observed using a voting system to make decisions.

Red deer - The herd will only move when over 60% of the adults stand up.

African Buffalo - Females within the herd stand up, stretch and stare towards their travel preferences, before lying back down. It usually takes about an hour of this voting before the herd moves in the direction that received the most votes.

Meerkats - A meerkat can sound off a low moving call. Others join in with the cal. When enough meerkats join in with the call the group moves.

Chimpanzees and Baboons - Although it was generally though that the strongest male was the leader of a group. However, without acceptance from the females, their leadership can soon be removed. There have even been cases of a much weaker but popular chimpanzee has become the leader.

Rock Ants - Some rock ant scouts always look for better homes. If enough scouts find themselves at the same site, they’ll reach the minimum number needed to relocate the colony. This can also be achieved by going back to the original nest and getting other ants to follow them to the new site. Once the minimum number of ants have gathered at the new site, the colony’s decision is official.

Unfortunately ants aren’t quite patient enough with the electoral process and sometimes speed up the colony move by picking up other ants and hauling them to their new home.