Elect vs. Vote: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Electing involves choosing or selecting a candidate for a position, typically through voting, while voting is the act of expressing a choice or preference, especially in a democratic process.
Key Differences
Electing is the process of choosing a person for a specific role or position, often through a formal system like elections. Voting, on the other hand, is the act of expressing one's choice or preference, usually within an electoral process.
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Nov 19, 2023
When individuals elect, they are typically selecting a representative or leader from a group of candidates. In contrast, voting is the individual act of making a choice among options, which could be candidates, policies, or resolutions.
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The process of electing often culminates in the appointment of a person to a position of authority or representation. Voting, however, can occur in various contexts, not limited to political elections, like organizational decisions or public referendums.
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Electing is generally the outcome of a collective voting process, leading to a decision. Voting itself is a more personal act, contributing to the collective decision-making process in an election.
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To elect someone usually implies a formal and structured process, often governed by specific rules and regulations. Voting is a fundamental component of this process but is broader in its application, extending to any instance of making a choice or decision in a group setting.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Selecting someone for a position
Expressing a choice or preference
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Context
Typically used in formal elections
Can be used in a wide range of decision-making scenarios
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Outcome
Results in appointment to a role
Contributes to collective decision-making
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Process
Culmination of a voting process
Individual act within a larger system
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Application
Often political or organizational
Broad, including non-political contexts
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Elect and Vote Definitions
Elect
To choose or select someone for a position by voting.
She was elected as the new mayor of the city.
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Vote
To express a choice or opinion, especially through a ballot in an election.
Citizens vote in elections to choose their leaders.
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Elect
To decide on or opt for something by vote.
The committee elected to postpone the decision.
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Vote
To participate in a decision-making process, especially in an election.
Everyone is encouraged to vote in the national election.
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Elect
To appoint or designate someone for a role, typically through a vote.
She was elected chairperson of the board.
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Vote
To express an opinion or choice on a matter.
The jury voted unanimously in favor of the verdict.
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Elect
To select by vote for an office or for membership
Elected her club president.
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Vote
A formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue
Let's decide the matter by vote.
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Vote
A means by which such a preference is made known, such as a raised hand or a marked ballot
Looked around the room and counted the votes in favor.
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Vote
The number of votes cast in an election or to resolve an issue
A heavy vote in favor of the bill.
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Vote
A group of voters alike in some way
The African American vote.
The rural vote.
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Elect
Elected but not yet installed. Often used in combination
The governor-elect.
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Vote
The result of an election or referendum
The measure was defeated in a resounding negative vote.
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Vote
The right to participate as a voter; suffrage
When the nation gave the vote to women.
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Vote
To express one's preference for a candidate or for a proposed resolution of an issue; cast a vote
Voting against the measure.
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Vote
To express a choice or an opinion
The children voted unanimously by jumping up and down.
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Vote
To express one's preference for by vote
Voted the straight Republican ticket.
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Elect
(used with a pl. verb) An exclusive group of people. Used with the
One of the elect who have power inside the government.
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Vote
To decide the disposition of by vote, as by electing or defeating
Vote in a new mayor.
Voted out their representative.
Vote down the amendment.
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Vote
To bring into existence or make available by vote
Vote new funds for a program.
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Elect
(theology) In Calvinist theology, one foreordained to Heaven. In other Christian theologies, someone chosen by God for salvation.
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Vote
(Informal) To state as a preference or opinion
I vote we eat out tonight.
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Elect
(postpositive) Who has been elected in a specified post, but has not yet entered office.
He is the President elect.
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Vote
A formalized choice on legally relevant measures such as employment or appointment to office or a proceeding about a legal dispute.
The city council decided the matter should go to public vote.
Parliament will hold a vote of confidence regarding the minister.
One occasion indicative votes were used was in 2003 when MPs were presented with seven different options on how to reform the House of Lords.
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Vote
An act or instance of participating in such a choice, e.g., by submitting a ballot
The Supreme Court upheld the principle of one person, one vote.
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Elect
Chosen as the object of mercy or divine favor; set apart to eternal life.
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Elect
Chosen to an office, but not yet actually inducted into it; as, bishop elect; governor or mayor elect.
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Vote
(obsolete) any judgment of intellect leading to a formal opinion, a point of view
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Elect
One chosen or set apart.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.
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Vote
Any judgment of intellect leading not only to a formal opinion but also to a particular choice in a legally relevant measure, a point of view as published
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Elect
Those who are chosen for salvation.
Shall not God avenge his won elect?
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Vote
(intransitive) to cast a vote; to assert a formalized choice in an election
Did you vote last month?
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Vote
(transitive) to choose or grant by means of a vote, or by general consent
The depository may vote shares on behalf of investors who have not submitted instruction to the bank.
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Elect
To select or take for an office; to select by vote; as, to elect a representative, a president, or a governor.
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Vote
A wish, choice, or opinion, of a person or a body of persons, expressed in some received and authorized way; the expression of a wish, desire, will, preference, or choice, in regard to any measure proposed, in which the person voting has an interest in common with others, either in electing a person to office, or in passing laws, rules, regulations, etc.; suffrage.
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Elect
An exclusive group of people;
One of the elect who have power inside the government
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Vote
That by means of which will or preference is expressed in elections, or in deciding propositions; voice; a ballot; a ticket; as, a written vote.
The freeman casting with unpurchased handThe vote that shakes the turrets of the land.
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Elect
Select by a vote for an office or membership;
We elected him chairman of the board
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Vote
Expression of judgment or will by a majority; legal decision by some expression of the minds of a number; as, the vote was unanimous; a vote of confidence.
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Vote
To express or signify the mind, will, or preference, either viva voce, or by ballot, or by other authorized means, as in electing persons to office, in passing laws, regulations, etc., or in deciding on any proposition in which one has an interest with others.
The vote for a duelist is to assist in the prostration of justice, and, indirectly, to encourage the crime.
To vote on large principles, to vote honestly, requires a great amount of information.
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Elect
To select a person or group of people for an office or position.
He was elected as the president of the student council.
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Vote
To enact, establish, grant, determine, etc., by a formal vote; as, the legislature voted the resolution.
Parliament voted them one hundred thousand pounds.
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Elect
To choose by vote to hold an office or position.
The members elected him as their representative.
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Vote
To declare by general opinion or common consent, as if by a vote; as, he was voted a bore.
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Vote
A choice that is made by voting;
There were only 17 votes in favor of the motion
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Vote
The opinion of a group as determined by voting;
They put the question to a vote
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Vote
A legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment;
American women got the vote in 1920
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Vote
A body of voters who have the same interests;
He failed to get the Black vote
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Vote
Express one's preference for a candidate or for a measure or resolution; cast a vote;
He voted for the motion
None of the Democrats voted last night
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Vote
Express a choice or opinion;
I vote that we all go home
She voted for going to the Chinese restaurant
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Vote
Bring into existence or make available by vote;
They voted aid for the underdeveloped countries in Asia
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Vote
To make a formal expression of opinion or will in a meeting or assembly.
The council members will vote on the new law tomorrow.
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Vote
To use a ballot or other means to express a choice or decision.
She voted for the proposal in the committee meeting.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is an "election"?
An "election" is a formal process where people vote to choose individuals for public office or to make decisions on specific issues.
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Can "elect" be used in non-political contexts?
Yes, "elect" can be used in various contexts, such as electing a team captain or choosing a leader for a club.
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Can "elect" be used as a noun?
Yes, "elect" can be used as a noun to refer to someone who has been chosen or elected, as in "the newly elected president."
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Is "elect" a verb or a noun?
"Elect" is primarily used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun in the context of someone who has been chosen or elected.
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What is an "electorate"?
An "electorate" refers to the group of eligible voters in a particular area or jurisdiction.
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What does the word "elect" mean?
"Elect" means to choose or select someone for a position or office, usually through a formal process.
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Are there synonyms for "elect"?
Synonyms for "elect" include "choose," "select," "pick," and "appoint."
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What is the difference between "elect" and "appoint"?
"Elect" typically involves a voting process, while "appoint" is usually a decision made by an authority figure without a formal vote.
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What is a "ballot"?
A "ballot" is a formal piece of paper or electronic document used for voting in an election or poll.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is "vote" only related to politics?
No, "vote" can be used in both political and non-political contexts. It refers to expressing a preference or making a choice.
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What is a "voter"?
A "voter" is a person who participates in an election or decision-making process by casting their vote.
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What is "voter turnout"?
"Voter turnout" is the percentage of eligible voters who actually participate in an election.
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Can you "vote" on matters other than elections, like decisions within an organization?
Yes, "vote" can be used in any context where a group needs to make a decision by expressing individual preferences.
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Are there different types of votes, such as "voice vote" and "secret ballot"?
Yes, there are various methods of voting, including "voice votes" where people verbally express their choice and "secret ballots" where votes are cast anonymously.
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What is an "absentee ballot"?
An "absentee ballot" is a ballot that allows eligible voters who cannot physically be present at a polling place to vote by mail.
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Can someone be "elected" for a non-political role?
Yes, people can be elected for roles in various organizations or contexts beyond politics.
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Can "vote" also be a noun?
Yes, "vote" can be both a verb and a noun. As a noun, it refers to the act of casting a ballot or expressing a choice.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is "vote" always done by marking something on paper?
No, voting can also be done electronically, by raising hands, or through other means depending on the context and technology available.
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What does the word "vote" mean?
"Vote" means to express one's choice or opinion by marking a ballot or participating in a decision-making process.
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Nov 19, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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