down-ballot

Also down-tick·et

[dohn-bal-uht]

adjective

1. relating to or noting a candidate or political contest that is relatively low-profile and local compared to one listed in a higher place on the ballot.

   Very popular presidential nominees often cause down-ballot candidates to win.

Word History and Origins

Origin of down-ballot¹

First recorded in 1980–85; down ¹ ( def. ) + ballot ( def. )

Example Sentences

Baraka, who came in second, couldn’t match her donor network, and party support that still decides most down-ballot races.

From Slate

Under former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the GOP moved aggressively to make state offices more partisan, pumping cash into down-ballot races.

From Los Angeles Times

"One of the shortcomings I believe of our national party committees is that they focus almost exclusively on just one election cycle with no longer term arc to their work. The DNC focus is primarily just on federal races, and while we have to win federal races for sure we also cannot ignore down-ballot races, state legislative bodies, local government races, frankly, where we're seeing a lot of disastrous public policy being passed in this country."

From Salon

But down-ballot races offer a solid case for Democratic optimism.

From Salon

If Vice President Kamala Harris decides to run for California governor, she would seismically reshape the race and cause ripple effects on down-ballot contests.

From Los Angeles Times