ballots

Definition of ballotsnext
plural of ballot
1
as in votes
a piece of paper indicating a person's preferences in an election we collected all of the ballots from the students voting for class president

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in suffrages
the right to formally express one's position or will in an election believes that even convicted felons should have the ballot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ballots Although Schwarze ultimately prevailed, the party’s divisions were on display as the endorsement battle dragged on through six ballots. Jay Gabler, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026 If no candidate wins an outright majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots are redistributed to those voters’ next-preferred choices. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 29 May 2026 Hundreds of miles south in the Inland Empire, Becerra pledged to be on the side of unions if elected governor and urged voters to turn in their ballots in what has so far been a remarkably low-turnout election. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 Some had completely forgotten about the ongoing election, or had not opened their ballots at all. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 29 May 2026 The barcodes help track ballots through the mail. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 May 2026 Voters, though,already have received their vote-by-mail ballots, which were sent out beginning May 4, so ballots already are being cast. Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 29 May 2026 The rule would apply to general, special and runoff federal elections, but not primaries or ballots sent to military and overseas voters. Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 May 2026 Voting is limited to paid Town Council members and will be conducted either via electronic ballots starting Monday, June 8, or in person before the council meeting on Thursday, June 11. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ballots
votes
Noun
  • If no candidate wins an outright majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots are redistributed to those voters’ next-preferred choices.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Rudy Moise, a Miami physician who twice ran against Wilson for her congressional seat, has already thrown his hat into the ring, citing her recent absence and missed votes due to an eye surgery.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ballots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ballots. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ballots

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster