down-ballot

American  

[dohn-bal-uht] / ˈdoʊnˌbæl ət /

Also down-ticket

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.

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Etymology

Origin of down-ballot

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

down-ballot

McKissick remembered Graham as dedicated to helping his party across levels and in sometimes little-noticed ways, assisting county organizations and down-ballot candidates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

Cuellar has suggested that he may run for re-election in the newly Republican-friendly 28th district in comments to Spectrum News, noting that although Trump did well there, Democrats also enjoyed some down-ballot success.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2025

Harris also was one of the few down-ballot politicians he helped in 2010, when she ran for California attorney general and he was president.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2024

So, the work of rolling back mass incarceration has to be done in statehouses, down-ballot county elections, and local city budget hearings.

From Slate ● Jun. 20, 2024

California and 14 other states are casting ballots for presidential nominees and many down-ballot races today, on the busiest day of the primary season.

From New York Times ● Mar. 5, 2024