What does ballot mean?
A ballot is fundamentally a method of casting a vote in private, most commonly represented by the paper slip on which voters mark their choices before placing it in a ballot box. The term also extends to the voting process as a whole and to the aggregate of votes cast in an election. Ballots are central to democratic systems precisely because they protect voter privacy: the principle of the secret ballot, adopted widely during the nineteenth century, prevents coercion and ensures that no one can verify how an individual voted. The word carries a formal, civic connotation, appearing in discussions of elections, referendums, parliamentary proceedings, and organizational decision-making. Beyond paper ballots, the term now covers electronic voting methods and postal ballots, though its core association with anonymous, verifiable voting remains unchanged across all these forms.
A slip of paper or card used to record a vote in an election; the system or process of voting by such means.
"She marked her ballot carefully before folding it in half."
Often used with the definite article when referring to a specific ballot document.
To vote or make a choice formally, especially by means of a ballot; to draw lots or select by vote.
"Members were asked to ballot on the proposed merger."
As a verb, ballot often takes an object indicating what is being voted on, as in 'to ballot on a proposal'.
Regular plural formation; used when referring to multiple voting slips or several instances of voting.
"Officials counted more than two thousand ballots by midnight."
The word 'ballot' comes from the Italian 'ballotta', a little ball — because early Venetians voted by dropping small colored balls into urns.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ballot
Ballot derives from the Italian 'ballotta', a diminutive of 'balla', meaning a small ball used historically for voting — Venetian councils voted by dropping colored balls into containers. The word entered English around the mid-sixteenth century, initially referring to these small balls themselves before shifting to mean the act of voting and later the printed voting paper. It shares this root with other Italian-derived words relating to balls or balloting procedures.
Related word forms
How ballot is actually used
Neutral register, used widely in political and civic contexts. 'Secret ballot' is a fixed term referring to voting in private so that no one can see how another person voted. In British English, a postal ballot refers to voting by mail.
Easily confused with ballot
A ballet is a form of theatrical dance, while a ballot relates to voting; they differ in meaning entirely despite their similar spelling.