popular vote

American

[pop-yuh-ler voht] / ˈpɒp yə lər ˈvoʊt /

noun

the vote for a U.S. presidential candidate made by the qualified voters, as opposed to that made by the Electoral College.
the vote for a candidate, issue, etc., made by the qualified voters, as opposed to a vote made by elected representatives.

Etymology

Origin of popular vote

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before discussing the Payne proposal further, let me describe Arizona’s long and unique history of putting methods of execution to a popular vote.

From Slate

They could reject the initiatives, sending them straight to the November 2026 ballot for a popular vote.

From The Wall Street Journal

But supporters of Poilievre credit him with delivering historic gains for the party, which received a record 41% of the popular vote last year.

From BBC

So he believes no decision on either the fate of Donetsk or the broader 20-point plan can be made without a popular vote and a 60-day ceasefire to prepare it: "A referendum is the way to accept it or not accept it."

From BBC

He reintroduced political parties and a free media, and was later endorsed by popular vote.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023