Meaning & use
secret ballots
Last updated
“secret ballots” is a form of “secret ballot”.
Meaning
nounplural
A way of voting in which each person's choice is kept private.
Grammar: Plural noun; use a plural verb: 'Secret ballots are held'. For one vote, say 'a secret ballot'.
Patterns
- hold a secret ballot
- by secret ballot
- vote by secret ballot
- a secret ballot on something
The union decided to hold secret ballots before calling a strike.
Members voted by secret ballot to choose the new leader.
Secret ballots help protect voters from pressure or intimidation.
Word forms
| singular | secret ballot |
|---|
Common combinations
- hold a secret ballot
- The committee will hold a secret ballot to decide the winner.
- vote by secret ballot
- In many countries, citizens vote by secret ballot in national elections.
- call for a secret ballot
- Several members called for a secret ballot on the controversial proposal.
- a secret ballot on something
- There will be a secret ballot on whether to accept the new contract.
Synonyms and how they differ
- anonymous vote
- Similar idea, but 'anonymous' often emphasizes that no one knows who voted, not just that the choice is private.
Opposites
Word family
- ballot noun
- A system of voting, or the piece of paper used to vote.
- ballot box noun
- The container where completed ballots are placed.
Commonly confused: secret ballots or secret poll?
secret ballots vs secret poll
Not a standard term; a poll is a survey of opinions, not an official vote.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'secret ballots' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 is correct because secret ballots keep each voter's choice private. Option 0 contradicts the meaning of 'secret'. Option 2 is wrong because 'a secret ballots' mixes singular and plural. Option 3 confuses the term with a person (a ballot counter).
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “secret ballots”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.