short ballot

American  

noun

1. a ballot containing only candidates for the most important legislative and executive posts, leaving judicial and lesser administrative posts to be filled by appointment.

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Etymology

Origin of short ballot

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

A splendid account by the father of the short ballot movement.

From The Boss and the Machine; a chronicle of the politicians and party organization by Orth, Samuel Peter

That is what is meant by the short ballot.

From Ethics in Service by Taft, William H.

This made the mayor, in some cases, the only elective city official and gave the voters a "short ballot" containing only a few names—an idea which some proposed to apply also to the state government.

From History of the United States by Beard, Charles A. (Charles Austin)

In it Roosevelt advocated, among other reforms such as the short ballot and the initiative and referendum, the recall of judicial decisions.

From Under Four Administrations From Cleveland to Taft by Straus, Oscar S.

The platform endorsed such political reforms as woman suffrage, direct primaries, the initiative, referendum, and recall, popular election of United States Senators, and the short ballot.

From History of the United States by Beard, Charles A. (Charles Austin)