What does balloted mean?
"Balloted" is the past-tense and past-participle form of the verb "ballot", which means to take a vote, usually by means of a printed ballot slip, a show of hands recorded formally, or the drawing of lots. When an organization says it balloted its members, it means it conducted a structured voting process — most commonly over a proposed change, a leadership contest, or industrial action such as a strike. The word belongs firmly to formal and institutional language: unions ballot workforces, professional bodies ballot their memberships, and sports clubs ballot applicants for scarce places. A secondary sense involves selection by lot rather than opinion, as when places in a race are balloted among excess entrants. The underlying noun traces back through Italian to small balls once used as counters in voting, giving the whole family a vivid historical pedigree. Because it signals deliberate, procedural decision-making rather than informal consensus, "balloted" connotes legitimacy, fairness, and collective choice.
verb (past tense and past participle of 'ballot')"Balloted" is the past-tense and past-participle form of the verb "ballot", meaning to vote on a question or issue, typically by writing a choice on a ballot or by drawing lots, often in secret.
- To have voted on a proposal or election, especially using a ballot paper or other formal voting method
- (Less common) To have selected someone or something by drawing lots
"Members of the club balloted on whether to admit women for the first time in its history."
"The union balloted its workforce before authorizing the strike."
"Entrants were balloted at random for the remaining places in the marathon."
The word "ballot" comes from the Italian "ballotta" — a small colored ball dropped into a box — so when you were balloted, your ancestors may literally have been throwing little balls into jars to decide elections.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of balloted
The verb "ballot" derives from the Italian "ballottare" (to vote), from "ballotta", a diminutive meaning "small ball" — a reference to the little colored balls voters once dropped into containers to cast their votes. The word passed from Italian into English in the mid-16th century, initially associated with Venetian voting practices, which English observers regarded as notably secretive and impartial. From this root come related forms such as "ballot" itself and "balloting", while the deeper idea of drawing lots connects it to broader European traditions of deciding by chance.
How balloted is actually used
Strictly a verb form; "balloted" is always the inflected past form of "ballot" and is never used as a standalone noun or adjective. It carries a formal, institutional register — typical of trade unions, clubs, committees, and electoral contexts rather than casual speech.
Easily confused with balloted
A bulletin is an official news announcement, whereas balloted refers to having voted on something.