I. ˈba-lət noun
Etymology: Italian ballotta, from Italian dialect, diminutive of balla ball — more at balloon
Date: 1549
1.
a. : a small ball used in secret voting
b. : a sheet of paper used to cast a secret vote
2.
a. : the action or system of secret voting
b. : the right to vote
c. : vote 1a
3. : the number of votes cast
4. : the drawing of lots
II. intransitive verb
Date: 1580
: to vote or decide by ballot
• bal·lot·er noun