What does elector mean?
An elector is a person who possesses the right to vote, particularly in a political election. The term carries a somewhat formal register compared with its common synonym 'voter', appearing most often in legal texts, constitutional documents, and discussions of electoral systems. It can refer to any qualified voter — as in 'every elector must present identification' — but it also has specialized meanings: in the United States, members of the Electoral College are formally called electors, since they are the individuals who officially cast ballots for president; and capitalized as 'Elector' the word denotes one of the German princes who, until 1806, held the exclusive right to choose the Holy Roman Emperor. Related forms include 'electoral' (adjective), 'electorate' (the body of all voters), and 'electress' (a female holder of the historic princely dignity). The word derives from the Latin eligere, meaning to pick out or choose.
A person who has the right to vote in an election.
"The returning officer verified each elector's registration before issuing a ballot."
More formal than 'voter'; common in legal and constitutional contexts.
(Historical) One of the German princes of the Holy Roman Empire entitled to take part in electing the Emperor.
"Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, famously protected Martin Luther after the Diet of Worms."
Usually capitalized when used in this historical sense.
The standard plural follows regular English noun inflection. When referring collectively to all eligible voters, 'the electorate' is usually preferred over 'the electors'.
"Millions of electors went to the polls across the country."
For nearly a thousand years, just seven men called 'Electors' held the power to choose who ruled the Holy Roman Empire — making 'elector' one of history's most exclusive voting rights.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of elector
'Elector' comes from Latin 'elector', meaning 'one who chooses', derived from 'eligere' (to pick out, select), formed from 'e-' (out) plus 'legere' (to gather, choose). The word entered English via Old French during the Middle English period. Its historical sense referring to the princes who elected the Holy Roman Emperor dates from late medieval times, while the general sense of 'one who votes' became established as representative government developed.
Related word forms
How elector is actually used
In everyday usage 'elector' sounds more formal than 'voter' and appears most often in legal, constitutional, or historical writing. Capitalized ('Elector'), it refers specifically to the princes of the Holy Roman Empire. In US political discourse it frequently appears in connection with the Electoral College, where 'electors' are the individuals who formally cast votes for president.
Easily confused with elector
An elector is an individual voter, while the electorate is the collective body of all eligible voters.