ballot-paper

ballot-paper

A voter carefully marks their ballot-paper in a polling booth.

Definition

Noun: A "ballot-paper" is a piece of paper used in voting, on which a voter marks their choice for a candidate, party, or proposal. It is the physical medium for casting a vote in an election or referendum.

Usage Examples
  • (The piece of paper used to record the vote.)
  • (The paper contained the options for selection.)
  • (She made an error that invalidated her vote on the paper.)
Advanced Usage
  • "To cast a ballot-paper": to submit a completed voting paper in an election.
    • Citizens cast their ballot-papers into the sealed box. (They deposited their voting papers.)
  • "Blank ballot-paper": an unmarked voting paper, often signifying a protest vote or abstention.
    • Some voters submitted a blank ballot-paper to express dissatisfaction. (An unmarked voting paper.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Ballot (n): a system or process of voting, often using ballot-papers; also a single voting paper.
    • The ballot was held in secret. (The voting process.)
  • Ballot-box (n): a container into which ballot-papers are placed after voting.
    • The ballot-box was sealed to prevent tampering. (The box for collecting ballot-papers.)
Synonyms
  • Voting slip: a piece of paper used to cast a vote.
  • Polling card: a card issued to a voter, sometimes used interchangeably with ballot-paper.
  • Voting paper: a general term for any paper used in voting.
Related Idioms
  • "To be on the ballot-paper": to be a candidate in an election.
    • Her name was on the ballot-paper for mayor. (She was a candidate.)
  • "To spoil one's ballot-paper": to intentionally or accidentally mark a voting paper incorrectly.
    • He spoiled his ballot-paper as a form of protest. (He made it invalid.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Ballot-paper (used as a noun, not a verb): No phrasal verbs exist with "ballot-paper" as it is a compound noun. The verb "to ballot" means to vote or to conduct a vote.
    • They balloted on the new policy. (They voted.)