How Do You Spell BALLOTAGE?

Pronunciation: [bˈalɒtɪd͡ʒ] (IPA)

Ballotage is a French-derived word that refers to a second round of voting in an election. The spelling of the word can be confusing for English speakers because the "-tage" ending is not common in English. However, using IPA phonetic transcription, we can break down the pronunciation of the word as "bɑlɔtaʒ", which helps explain the spelling. The "tage" ending is pronounced as "tahj", which is similar to the French pronunciation. Remembering the pronunciation can help with spelling and using the word correctly in written communication.

BALLOTAGE Meaning and Definition

1. Ballotage refers to a specific voting procedure used in certain political systems, primarily during elections, to determine the final outcome when no candidate receives a clear majority of votes. The term originated in France and is often called a "second ballot" or a "runoff election" in English-speaking countries.

   During a ballotage, only the top two candidates who received the highest number of votes in the initial round participate in the runoff. This process allows voters to choose between the top contenders, ensuring that the eventual winner has the support of a majority or defined plurality. It is typically employed in countries that utilize a two-round electoral system.

   The ballotage procedure follows a similar process to the initial election, with voters casting their ballots for one of the two remaining candidates. The candidate who secures the most votes in the second round is declared the winner, often referred to as being "elected by ballotage."

   This method enhances democratic principles by promoting the legitimacy of the elected candidate, as they must prove their capacity to gather a majority of citizens' support. Ballotage serves as a way to resolve election deadlocks gracefully, reducing the possibility of political instability and ensuring that the candidate with the broadest appeal emerges as the victor.

Common Misspellings for BALLOTAGE

• vallotage
• nallotage
• hallotage
• gallotage
• bzllotage
• bsllotage
• bwllotage
• bqllotage
• baklotage
• baplotage
• baolotage
• balkotage
• balpotage
• balootage
• ballitage
• ballktage
• ballltage
• ballptage
• ball0tage
• ball9tage

Etymology of BALLOTAGE

The word "ballotage" comes from the French term "ballottage". "Ballottage" was derived from the verb "balloter", meaning "to toss or shake". In the context of elections, "ballottage" originally referred to a method of voting where the votes were placed in a container and shaken before being counted. Over time, the term came to be associated with the second round or runoff of an election where the two leading candidates compete in a new vote. From French, "ballotage" entered English as a loanword to refer to the same political concept.

Plural form of BALLOTAGE is BALLOTAGES