ballot box

noun

1
: a box for receiving ballots
2
Phrases
stuff the ballot box
chiefly US
: to attempt to control the outcome of an election by having multiple illegitimate votes cast in support of the desired candidate
They said the vote-rigging included stuffing ballot boxes, buying votes and absent names on the voter rolls.Sonia Verma
By a margin of just 277 votes (some say ballot boxes were stuffed), Brooklyn, the nation's fourth-largest city, had voted to give up its proud and independent history.James Sterngold

Examples of ballot box in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Opponents say these are losing issues at the ballot box. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025 Identifying all voters at the ballot box with photo ID is a common sense way to restore faith in the integrity of our electoral system, according to both of the leading GOP candidates for governor. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025 Sometimes referendums can land at other times of the year, when there might be less participation at the ballot box. Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Until voters have real choices at the ballot box, New Tax Day will remain an annual reminder that in Illinois, fiscal pain is assumed — and political accountability is not. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ballot box

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballot box was circa 1677

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Cite this Entry

“Ballot box.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballot%20box. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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