voice vote

American  

noun

1. a vote based on estimation of the relative strength of ayes and noes called out rather than on a counting of ballots, a roll call, or a division.

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voice vote British  

noun

1. a vote taken in a legislative body by calling for the ayes and the noes and estimating which faction is more numerous from the volume of the noise

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Etymology

Origin of voice vote

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Lawmakers in Congress' lower chamber approved a Senate-passed bill by holding a a voice vote on Thursday to fund much of DHS, ending the record-setting shutdown of the sprawling federal agency.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Republicans and Democrats unanimously agreed via a voice vote to fund all of the DHS except Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol through the end of the current fiscal year.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Burchett motioned in the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday to have the panel proceed with a subpoena for Maxwell to appear for public testimony, a move that was adopted by voice vote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2025

On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee approved a motion to subpoena Maxwell by voice vote.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2025

The response was then carried by voice vote and sent back to Calvert, a gauntlet flung across the admiral's face.

From Caribbee by Hoover, Thomas