vote

One person’s formal choice of a candidate or proposal, usually recorded on paper or electronically.

• Every vote counts.
• He won by just three votes.
• She cast her vote against the proposal.

How to use it: a vote for/against someone/something (A vote for her is a vote for better schools.)

Similar words: ballot

Common phrases: cast a vote, count every vote, vote for someone

A way for a group to decide something by counting what each person chooses.

• Let's take a vote.
• The vote will decide who leads the club.
• They held a vote on the new rules.

How to use it: a vote on something (There will be a vote on the proposal tomorrow.)

Similar words: ballot, poll

Common phrases: take a vote, hold a vote, vote on something, public vote

A judge’s stated view on a case, explaining the decision they support.

• The judge published a dissenting vote.
• Her vote explains why she opposed the court's decision.
• Lawyers cited his reasoned vote in a later case.

Similar words: opinion

Common phrases: dissenting vote, judicial vote, reasoned vote

To show formally which person or idea you support, for example by marking paper or raising your hand.

• Did you vote today?
• I voted for the youngest candidate.
• The members will vote on the proposal tomorrow.

How to use it: vote for/against someone/something (Most members voted against the plan.); vote in something (She voted in the local election.); vote on something (We will vote on the new rules next week.)

Similar words: cast a ballot

Opposites: abstain

Common phrases: vote for someone, vote against something, vote in elections, vote by post

To choose someone or approve something through a formal group decision.

• They voted her president.
• The council voted extra funds for the library.
• Club members voted their unpopular leader out.

How to use it: vote someone something (The members voted her chair of the club.); vote to do something (The directors voted to increase spending.); vote someone out/in (The members voted the chairman out.)

Similar words: elect, approve

Common phrases: vote someone president, vote someone out, vote funds