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.

Yet for Washington’s dealers, the prospect of putting franchise laws up for a popular vote laid bare a tough reality: given the choice, many car buyers want the freedom to avoid dealerships.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, it is unlikely to do so given that its members are first vetted by the Guardian Council before being elected by a popular vote of Iranian men and women ages 18 and older.

From Salon

Under Iran's constitution, the selection of a new supreme leader falls to the Assembly of Experts - an 88-member clerical body elected by popular vote for eight-year terms.

From BBC

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

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