elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

plural electors

1

: a person qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state's political parties who are pledged to support that party's candidate.

—Allyson Waller

3

: any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor

Examples of elector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here's how things are set to work this time around: The Electoral College electors were chosen by each state on Election Day 2024, and the governor of each state later sent a list of electors to the federal archivist. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025

That was in stark contrast with Monday's joint session, in which tellers ran swiftly through each elector slate. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 6 Jan. 2025

Americans could be excused for being unaware that electors met in all 50 state capitals and the District of Columbia to cast votes. —Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024

In the Electoral College’s quirky system, voters are technically casting ballots for their presidential candidate’s slate of electors. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elector

• faithless elector

Kids Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯ(ə)r

1

: one qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

Legal Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor

1

: a person who is qualified to vote

2

: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.