Elector
/i'lektə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who has the legal right to vote in an election: An elector is a citizen who is qualified and registered to cast a ballot in a political election.
- (Historical) A German prince entitled to vote for the Holy Roman Emperor: In the Holy Roman Empire, an elector was one of the princes or high-ranking officials who formed the electoral college responsible for choosing the Emperor.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Modern):
- Every elector in the district received a voter information card.
- The candidate focused her campaign on issues important to the average elector.
- Noun (Historical):
- The Elector of Brandenburg was a powerful figure in the 17th century.
- The title of elector was both a political privilege and a significant responsibility.
Advanced Usage
- "Faithless elector" (U.S. Politics): In the United States Electoral College system, an elector is a member of the electoral college who casts a vote for President and Vice President. A "faithless elector" is one who does not vote for the candidate they were pledged to support.
- The possibility of a faithless elector has been a topic of constitutional debate.
Variants and Related Words
- Electoral (adj): Relating to elections or electors.
- The electoral process must be transparent.
- Electorate (n): The body of all people entitled to vote in an election.
- The party's policies appealed to a broad section of the electorate.
Synonyms
- Voter: A person who votes or has the right to vote.
- Constituent: A voting member of a community or organization, especially in a political context.
Related Phrases
- College of Electors: The collective body of electors, especially in historical contexts or in specific modern systems like the U.S. Electoral College.
- The decision ultimately rested with the College of Electors.
Noun
- any of the German princes who were entitled to vote in the election of new emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
- a citizen who has a legal right to vote