-
A ballot refers to a voting document or method used to cast votes in an election, referendum, or other decision-making processes. It typically consists of a list of candidates or options accompanied by corresponding spaces or boxes where voters can mark or indicate their choices. Generally, ballots are designed to ensure the privacy and secrecy of the voter's choices.
Ballots can take various forms, including paper ballots, electronic ballots, or absentee ballots. Paper ballots involve physical documents distributed to voters, usually at polling stations, where they are filled out and cast into a collection box or machine that accumulates the votes. Electronic ballots, on the other hand, utilize computer systems to allow voters to input their choices through devices such as touchscreens or keyboards. Absentee ballots are voting forms provided in advance to individuals who cannot physically attend the polling location, often due to distance, illness, or absence from the area.
The word "ballot" also encompasses the action of voting or the procedure by which votes are cast and counted. It entails the act of choosing a preferred candidate or preferred option from the presented choices. Balloting methods can employ various systems, such as first-past-the-post, ranked-choice, or proportional representation systems, among others, depending on the specific electoral rules and the desired outcome of the vote.
In essence, a ballot is a fundamental instrument of democracy that enables individuals to participate in the electoral process and have their voice heard in determining the outcome of elections or deciding on crucial matters in a concise, structured, and fair manner.
-
• A little ball used in voting; a ticket or written vote.
• To choose or vote by ballot.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ballot" originates from the Italian word "ballotta" or "ballotta di votare", meaning "little ball" or "little ball of voting". This term was used to refer to a small ball or piece of paper used in early voting systems. During voting, individuals would cast their vote by placing a small ball or piece of paper into a container. Over time, the term "ballot" came to encompass the entire process of voting and the collection of votes. The word was adopted into English in the late 16th century.
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have balloted
you
would have balloted
he/she/it
would have balloted
we
would have balloted
they
would have balloted
I
would have ballot
you
would have ballot
he/she/it
would have ballot
we
would have ballot
they
would have ballot
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been balloting
you
would have been balloting
he/she/it
would have been balloting
we
would have been balloting
they
would have been balloting
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would ballot
you
would ballot
he/she/it
would ballot
we
would ballot
they
would ballot
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be balloting
you
would be balloting
he/she/it
would be balloting
we
would be balloting
they
would be balloting
FUTURE
I
will ballot
you
will ballot
he/she/it
will ballot
we
will ballot
they
will ballot
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be balloting
you
will be balloting
he/she/it
will be balloting
we
will be balloting
they
will be balloting
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have balloted
you
will have balloted
he/she/it
will have balloted
we
will have balloted
they
will have balloted
I
will have ballotted
we
will have ballotted
you
will have ballotted
he/she/it
will have ballotted
they
will have ballotted
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been balloting
you
will have been balloting
he/she/it
will have been balloting
we
will have been balloting
they
will have been balloting
IMPERATIVE
you
ballot
we
let´s ballot
to ballot
PAST
I
ballotted
we
ballotted
you
ballotted
he/she/it
ballotted
they
ballotted
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was balloting
you
were balloting
he/she/it
was balloting
we
were balloting
they
were balloting
PAST PARTICIPLE
balloted
PAST PERFECT
I
had balloted
you
had balloted
he/she/it
had balloted
we
had balloted
they
had balloted
I
had ballotted
we
had ballotted
you
had ballotted
he/she/it
had ballotted
they
had ballotted
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been balloting
you
had been balloting
he/she/it
had been balloting
we
had been balloting
they
had been balloting
PRESENT
I
ballot
you
ballot
he/she/it
ballots
we
ballot
they
ballot
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am balloting
you
are balloting
he/she/it
is balloting
we
are balloting
they
are balloting
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
balloting
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have balloted
you
have balloted
he/she/it
has balloted
we
have balloted
they
have balloted
I
have ballotted
we
have ballotted
you
have ballotted
he/she/it
has ballotted
they
have ballotted
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been balloting
you
have been balloting
he/she/it
has been balloting
we
have been balloting
they
have been balloting
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
ballot
SIMPLE PAST
I
balloted
you
balloted
he/she/it
balloted
we
balloted
they
balloted
I
am ballotting
we
are ballotting
you
are ballotting
he/she/it
is ballotting
they
are ballotting
I
was ballotting
we
were ballotting
you
were ballotting
he/she/it
was ballotting
they
were ballotting
I
will be ballotting
we
will be ballotting
you
will be ballotting
he/she/it
will be ballotting
they
will be ballotting
I
have been ballotting
we
have been ballotting
you
have been ballotting
he/she/it
has been ballotting
they
have been ballotting
I
had been ballotting
we
had been ballotting
you
had been ballotting
he/she/it
had been ballotting
they
had been ballotting
I
will have been ballotting
we
will have been ballotting
you
will have been ballotting
he/she/it
will have been ballotting
they
will have been ballotting
I
would have ballotted
we
would have ballotted
you
would have ballotted
he/she/it
would have ballotted
they
would have ballotted
I
would be ballotting
we
would be ballotting
you
would be ballotting
he/she/it
would be ballotting
they
would be ballotting
I
would have been ballotting
we
would have been ballotting
you
would have been ballotting
he/she/it
would have been ballotting
they
would have been ballotting
