popular vote: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal, political, journalistic, academic
Quick answer
What does “popular vote” mean?
The total number of votes cast by the public in an election, counted directly, as opposed to votes by an electoral college or other representative body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The total number of votes cast by the public in an election, counted directly, as opposed to votes by an electoral college or other representative body.
More broadly, any direct expression of choice or opinion by the general population, often contrasted with decisions made by elites or representative institutions. In political science, it refers to the principle of majority rule expressed through direct voting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is used more generally for any direct public election result. In the US, it carries a specific, highly charged constitutional meaning due to the Electoral College system, where winning the national popular vote does not guarantee winning the presidency.
Connotations
UK: Generally neutral, describing a direct democratic mechanism. US: Often carries connotations of democratic legitimacy vs. systemic fairness, and can be a point of political contention.
Frequency
Much more frequent in US political discourse due to the recurring debate about the Electoral College versus the popular vote. In UK discourse, terms like 'general election result' or 'public vote' are often equally or more common.
Grammar
How to Use “popular vote” in a Sentence
[Candidate/Party] won/lost/secured/gained the popular vote (by [number/percentage]).The [measure/amendment] was passed/rejected by popular vote.to decide/elevate/choose by popular vote.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “popular vote” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The proposal was put to a popular vote and passed comfortably.
- Her majority in the popular vote was slender but decisive.
American English
- He won the electoral college but lost the popular vote by nearly three million.
- The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact seeks to award electors to the national popular vote winner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in the context of shareholder votes or internal company referendums.
Academic
Common in Political Science, History, and Law, discussing electoral systems, democratic theory, and specific election analyses.
Everyday
Used primarily during election seasons, especially in the US, in news and political discussions.
Technical
Central to electoral law and constitutional studies, with precise definitions regarding aggregation and certification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “popular vote”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “popular vote”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “popular vote”
- Using 'popular vote' to mean 'the vote of popular people'.
- Confusing 'popular vote' with 'majority vote' (the latter requires >50%).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We will popular vote on it' – incorrect; use 'vote on it' or 'put it to a popular vote').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. In systems like the US Electoral College, a candidate can win the national popular vote (get more total votes nationwide) but lose the election by failing to win a majority of electoral votes.
No. A popular vote can be at any level—local, regional, or national. It simply means the vote is cast directly by the eligible electorate, not by representatives.
A referendum is a type of popular vote on a specific policy question or law. 'Popular vote' is the broader mechanism; a referendum is an instance of its use.
Because the US President is not elected by direct national popular vote but by the Electoral College. This has led to several instances (e.g., 2000, 2016) where the winner of the popular vote lost the presidency, fueling ongoing debate about electoral reform.
The total number of votes cast by the public in an election, counted directly, as opposed to votes by an electoral college or other representative body.
Popular vote is usually formal, political, journalistic, academic in register.
Popular vote: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒp.jə.lə vəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑː.pjə.lɚ voʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The popular vote crown”
- “A popular vote loser”
- “By popular vote”
- “The popular vote split”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
POPULAR VOTE: PEOPLE's OPinion Unambiguously Logged And Registered – Voters Officially Express.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEMOCRACY IS A RACE (win/lose the vote), NUMBERS ARE POWER (the tally confers legitimacy), THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS A FORCE (the popular vote carries momentum).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary contextual difference in the usage of 'popular vote' between the UK and the US?