balloted

1. 1
   verb

   Simple past tense and past participle of ballot.

   Union members balloted on the proposed pay deal last month.

   The society balloted its members before changing the rules.

   Note

   One spelling does two jobs, the simple past and the participle, and the verb behind it splits by construction. Intransitively, people ballot on something or draw lots: members balloted on the deal. Transitively, a body ballots its members, inviting them to vote. Only that second use can turn passive, as in the members were balloted. The t is not doubled: balloted, not ballotted.

   The members were balloted before the society changed its rules.

   Staff have balloted on strike action twice this year.

2. 2
   adjective

   Having or assigned through a ballot, as a place or position allocated by vote or random draw.

   Each balloted ticket entered the holder into the championship draw.

   Successful applicants received a balloted spot in the city marathon.

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