ballot

A paper or card on which someone marks their choice in a vote.

• Mark your choice on the ballot.
• The ballots were counted after midnight.
• Her ballot was rejected because she selected two candidates.

Similar words: voting paper

Common phrases: ballot paper, ballot box, cast a ballot

To vote, or make a decision by voting.

• The union will ballot its members.
• Workers balloted on the new pay offer.
• Each member could ballot for one candidate.

How to use it: ballot for someone/something (Members balloted for their preferred candidate.); ballot on something (The union will ballot on the proposed strike.)

Similar words: vote

Common phrases: ballot for someone, ballot on something, ballot the members

To choose something by randomly drawing a paper, number, or similar object.

• They balloted for the remaining seats.
• Each family balloted for a garden plot.
• We agreed to ballot rather than argue over the rooms.

How to use it: ballot for something (The applicants balloted for the available places.)

Similar words: draw lots

Common phrases: ballot for something, ballot for places