Ballotage
/ˌbæl.əˈtɑːʒ/noun
A voting system or result that requires a second ballot, especially in French elections.
Did you know?Ballotage is a French political term built from the same root as ballot, ultimately tied to a little ball used for voting—proof that democracy once felt like a magical object lesson in physical tokens.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern French
French
ballottage
“A state of being tied or requiring a runoff vote; a second ballot”
18th Century
French
ballot
“A small ball used as a voting token, later a voting paper”
Late Latin
Late Latin
balla
“A ball or round object”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*ballô-
“A ball, rounded object”
Modern English
English
ballotage
“The need for a second vote or runoff, especially in elections”