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
Sonia VermaBy 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
James Sterngold
Examples of ballot box in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Long lines at the ballot box Casting votes in vain.
—Neil Genzlinger, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Part of being a democracy is being able to accept defeats at the ballot box — and move on to the next election.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2023
Next month’s election is a crucial test of whether the country’s autocratic ruling party can be checked at the ballot box.
—Yascha Mounk, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2023
The updates take effect mid-November, a year ahead of the 2024 presidential election, which promises to be the first election cycle with artificial intelligence potentially playing a pivotal role at the ballot box.
—USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2023
For months, state Republican leaders have tirelessly worked to stymie the measure—which has mobilized left-leaning, independent, and center-right women voters—most recently, advocates say, by attempting to mislead voters at the ballot box.
—Sarah Stankorb, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2023
If approved at the ballot box in November, council would no longer decide how to spend that slice of the budget.
—Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2023
The seemingly benign decision by lawmakers to adopt a new state symbol has opponents seeking to overturn the decision at the ballot box.
—Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023
Gaetz argued that the Senate should try Biden, and then voters can render a verdict at the ballot box in November 2024.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 23 Aug. 2023
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Neil Genzlinger, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Part of being a democracy is being able to accept defeats at the ballot box — and move on to the next election.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2023
Next month’s election is a crucial test of whether the country’s autocratic ruling party can be checked at the ballot box.
—Yascha Mounk, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2023
The updates take effect mid-November, a year ahead of the 2024 presidential election, which promises to be the first election cycle with artificial intelligence potentially playing a pivotal role at the ballot box.
—USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2023
For months, state Republican leaders have tirelessly worked to stymie the measure—which has mobilized left-leaning, independent, and center-right women voters—most recently, advocates say, by attempting to mislead voters at the ballot box.
—Sarah Stankorb, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2023
If approved at the ballot box in November, council would no longer decide how to spend that slice of the budget.
—Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2023
The seemingly benign decision by lawmakers to adopt a new state symbol has opponents seeking to overturn the decision at the ballot box.
—Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 31 Aug. 2023
Gaetz argued that the Senate should try Biden, and then voters can render a verdict at the ballot box in November 2024.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 23 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ballot box.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near ballot box
Cite this Entry
“Ballot box.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballot%20box. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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