ballot

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian balota (obsolete), ballotta (“small ball, especially one used to register a vote”), from balla (“bale, bundle”) + -otta (“suffix forming diminutive nouns”); or from Middle French balote (obsolete), ballotte (“small ball used to register a vote”) (also compare Middle French balotiage, French ballottage (“second ballot, runoff”)).

noun

1. Originally, a small ball placed in a container to cast a vote; now, by extension, a piece of paper or card used for this purpose, or some other means used to signify a vote.
2. The process of voting, especially in secret; a round of voting.
   July 1836, A. B. (initials of author), London and Westminster Review Article XI, Bribery and Intimidation at Elections the insufficiency of the ballot
   In the TSSA ballot, 80% of management grade and 60% of general grade members voted to accept, on an overall turnout of 57%. March 9 2023, Mel Holley, “TSSA accepts offer, but RMT sets new strike dates”, in RAIL, number 978, page 11
3. The total of all the votes cast in an election.
4. (chiefly US) A list of candidates running for office; a ticket.

verb

1. (intransitive) To vote or decide by ballot.
   to ballot for a candidate
2. (intransitive) To draw lots.
3. (transitive) To invite to vote on a proposal.
   The trade union balloted its members for strike action.