Definition

1. 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

1. any of the German princes who were entitled to vote in the election of new emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
2. a citizen who has a legal right to vote