Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - ballot

n. & v. --n. 1 a process of voting, in writing and usu. secret. 2 the total of votes recorded in a ballot. 3 the drawing of lots. 4 a paper or ticket etc. used in voting. --v. (balloted, balloting) 1 intr. (usu. foll. by for) a hold a ballot; give a vote. b draw lots for precedence etc. 2 tr. take a ballot of (the union balloted its members). Phrases and idioms ballot-box a sealed box into which voters put completed ballot-papers. ballot-paper a slip of paper used to register a vote. Etymology: It. ballotta dimin. of balla BALL(1)