Definition

Noun: * The deciding vote cast by the presiding officer to resolve a tie: A "casting vote" is a special, often extra, vote given to the chairperson or presiding officer of a meeting, committee, or legislative body. It is used only when the votes of the other members are equally divided (a tie). This vote decides the issue.

Usage

The term is used in formal, organizational, and parliamentary contexts to describe the mechanism for breaking a deadlock. It is almost always associated with the role of a chairperson, president, or speaker.

Examples

• Noun:
  • After a 6-6 tie, the committee chair used her casting vote to approve the proposal.
  • The bylaws grant the president a casting vote in the event of an equal division.
  • The motion was passed by the chairman's casting vote.

Advanced Usage

• "To have/possess/hold the casting vote": Describes the authority vested in a position.
  • Under the company's constitution, the Managing Director holds the casting vote.
• "To exercise/use one's casting vote": Describes the act of applying this decisive vote.
  • The Speaker reluctantly exercised his casting vote to defeat the amendment.

Variants and Related Words

• Tie-breaking vote (noun phrase): A more descriptive synonym commonly used, especially in American English.
  • The vice president serves as the tie-breaking vote in the U.S. Senate.

Synonyms

• Deciding vote
• Tie-breaking vote
• Decisive vote

Notes

The "casting vote" is not a universal right for all chairs; it must be granted by the rules of the organization (e.g., constitution, bylaws, standing orders). Its use is typically expected to be impartial, often to maintain the status quo or to enable further discussion rather than to advance a personal preference.

Noun

1. the deciding vote cast by the presiding officer to resolve a tie