Definition

Noun: A hanging chad is a small, rectangular piece of paper from a punch card ballot that has been only partially detached, remaining connected by a single corner. This term became widely known during the 2000 United States presidential election recount in Florida, where the status of such ballots was a major point of contention.

Usage

The term is used specifically in the context of voting systems, particularly older systems using punch card ballots. It describes a specific type of flawed or ambiguous ballot that requires manual inspection to determine voter intent. - The election officials had to examine each ballot for hanging chads. - A hanging chad may indicate the voter's intent, but it is not a clean vote.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a hanging chad": Describes the state of a ballot.
  • This ballot appears to have a hanging chad; we need to review it by hand.
• The concept is often cited in discussions about election integrity, voting technology, and the importance of clear ballot design.

Variants and Related Words

• Chad (n): The small piece of paper removed from a punch card. Types of chad include:
  • Pregnant chad: A chad that is bulging but not detached.
  • Swinging chad: A chad attached by two corners.
  • Tri-chad: A chad attached by three corners.
• Punch card ballot (n): A now largely obsolete voting system where voters punch holes in a card to indicate their choices.

Synonyms

• Partially detached chad
• Incompletely removed chad

Related Phrases

• To count a hanging chad: The process of deciding whether a ballot with a hanging chad should be counted as a valid vote.
  • The court ruled on how to count a hanging chad.
• Chad-related issues: Problems arising from the physical mechanics of punch card voting.
  • The election was delayed due to chad-related issues.

Noun

1. a chad that is incompletely removed and hanging by one corner