Showing results for protest vote.

protest vote

American

noun

a ballot cast for a candidate with a minimal chance of winning, to register dislike for the other candidates.

Etymology

Origin of protest vote

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

But his opponent, 43-year-old Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has framed the election as a protest vote and cannily turned the national flag into a symbol of resistance.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

Voters in Connecticut and Rhode Island will have the additional option of voting “uncommitted” if they want to register a protest vote against Biden, a Democrat, or Trump, a Republican.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2024

He did not mention the war or the protest vote in his statement following his victory, but his campaign team will have surely heard the message loud and clear.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

But for Alawieh, Tuesday's protest vote is not about the primary or the general election.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2024

Some have attributed Mr. Kasselakis’ rise to a protest vote by disgruntled Syriza supporters desperate for new blood.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2023

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