Definition

A ballot that indicates more choices or candidates than permitted in a specific election or vote.

Example

The election officials had to disqualify several ballots due to an overvote.

Conversation

Did you hear about the election results last night?

Yeah, I heard there was a significant issue with overvote ballots.

Exactly! It’s frustrating when so many votes don’t count because of that.

I know, right? It really makes you think about how to improve the voting process.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Overvote is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively or beyond) and "vote" (from Latin "votum", meaning a wish or a vow). The word refers to casting more votes than allowed, thus exceeding the permissible limit.

Memory Tip

Think of going 'beyond' ('over-') the allowed number of 'votes' — that's why 'overvote' means to cast too many votes.

Visually Confused Words