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

The popular vote in every state will control the appointment of electors. —Barton Gellman, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024

In the aftermath, Arizona became one of several states that tried to challenge the Electoral College results by attempting to submit a fake slate of electors. —Monica Potts, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024

Would the court system say Congress is permitted – or even required – to count the votes of a slate of electors that the governor refused to certify? —Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

In fact, Democrats have objected to slates of electors after every single Republican presidential victory this century. —CBS News, 13 Oct. 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.