— balloter , n.
/bal"euht/ , n. , v. , balloted, balloting .
n.
1. a slip or sheet of paper, cardboard, or the like, on which a voter marks his or her vote.
2. the method of secret voting by means of printed or written ballots or by means of voting machines.
3. voting in general, or a round of voting: Our candidate was defeated on the third ballot.
4. the list of candidates to be voted on: They succeeded in getting her name placed on the ballot.
5. the right to vote: to gain the ballot after years of struggle.
6. the whole number of votes cast or recorded.
7. a system or the practice of drawing lots: The assassin would be chosen by ballot.
8. (formerly) a little ball used in voting.
v.i.
9. to vote by ballot: to ballot against a candidate.
10. to draw lots: to ballot for places.
v.t.
11. to canvass or solicit (a group, membership, etc.) for votes: Members were balloted on the resolution.
12. to select, esp. for military service, by ballot: Certain age groups will not be balloted at this time.
[ 1540-50; ( ballotte ) ballotta (prob. ball ( a ) BALL 1 + -otta dim. suffix ]