Definition

Noun: 1. An official who examines and verifies votes in an election: A scrutineer is a person appointed to observe and check the counting of votes to ensure the process is fair, accurate, and follows the rules. They represent a candidate, political party, or a "yes/no" position in a referendum.

Usage

The word "scrutineer" is used specifically in the context of elections, referendums, or formal votes. It describes a role focused on oversight and verification. * Each candidate is allowed to have a scrutineer present during the vote count. * The scrutineers carefully watched the election officials sort the ballots. * As a scrutineer, her job was to ensure every valid vote was counted correctly.

Advanced Usage

• To act as a scrutineer: To perform the duties of a scrutineer.
  • He volunteered to act as a scrutineer for the local council election.
• Appointed scrutineer: A scrutineer who has been formally designated by a candidate or party.
  • Only appointed scrutineers are permitted in the counting hall.

Variants and Related Words

• Scrutiny (noun): Critical observation or examination. This is the root noun from which "scrutineer" is derived.
  • The election process was under intense scrutiny.
• Scrutinize (verb): To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
  • The committee will scrutinize the final results.

Synonyms

• Poll watcher (noun): A very close synonym, especially in American English.
• Election observer (noun): A broader term that can include international monitors; a scrutineer is a specific type of domestic observer focused on the count.
• Vote counter (noun): This can refer to the official doing the counting, whereas a scrutineer observes the counter.

Related Phrases

• To scrutineer the count: To observe and verify the vote-counting process (less common phrasing).
  • Their team was there to scrutineer the count.

Noun

1. someone who examines votes at an election