ballots

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of ballot.

   Volunteers sorted the ballots by precinct before the recount began.

   Several ballots were spoiled because voters marked too many candidates.

   Note

   A small ball hides inside the plural: a ballot was first a ball dropped into a container to cast a vote, and only later a paper or card. In the plural it counts two different things. One is the papers themselves, as in spoiled ballots or ballots sorted by precinct. The other is successive rounds of voting, as when a candidate wins after several ballots. Context tells them apart: papers are handled, while rounds are held.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present indicative of ballot.

   The committee ballots its delegates before adopting any major resolution.

   Whenever membership demands change, the society ballots the entire roll.

   Note

   A verb that works in two directions. Used transitively, its object is the people asked to vote: a union ballots its members on a proposal. Used intransitively, the group does the voting itself, or draws lots: the club ballots for new officers. The same spelling also serves as the plural noun, so a headline such as "Union ballots" can be read either way until the next word settles it.

   Each spring the club ballots for its new officers.

   When two names tie, the council ballots to decide which goes forward.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2