ballot
noun
- document used to cast votes in an election
- The act of taking a vote
verb
- taking a vote
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈbælət/
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian balota (obsolete), ballotta (“small ball, especially one used to register a vote”), from balla (“bale, bundle”) + -otta (suffix forming diminutive nouns); or from Middle French balote (obsolete), ballotte (“small ball used to register a vote”) (also compare Middle French balotiage, French ballottage (“second ballot, runoff”)); both ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *ballu (“ball”), from Proto-Germanic *balluz (“ball”).
- A small ball placed in a container to cast a vote; now, by extension, a piece of paper or card used for this purpose, or some other means used to signify a vote.
“Imagine if the outcome in Michigan is close, and 75% of Biden supporters vote absentee, yet 10% or more of those ballots are rejected.”
“In Wyoming, a GOP state senator forwarded an FGA draft bill to Secretary of State Chuck Gray that would prohibit sending out unsolicited absentee ballot request forms.”
- The process of voting, especially in secret; a round of voting.
“July 1836, A. B. (initials of author), London and Westminster Review Article XI, Bribery and Intimidation at Elections the insufficiency of the ballot”
“In the TSSA ballot, 80% of management grade and 60% of general grade members voted to accept, on an overall turnout of 57%.”
- The total of all the votes cast in an election.
- A list of candidates running for office; a ticket.
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from Italian balota (obsolete), ballotta (“small ball, especially one used to register a vote”), from balla (“bale, bundle”) + -otta (suffix forming diminutive nouns); or from Middle French balote (obsolete), ballotte (“small ball used to register a vote”) (also compare Middle French balotiage, French ballottage (“second ballot, runoff”)); both ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *ballu (“ball”), from Proto-Germanic *balluz (“ball”).
- To vote or decide by ballot.
“to ballot for a candidate”
- To draw lots.
- To invite to vote on a proposal.
“The trade union balloted its members for strike action.”