Australian ballot

noun

1. a ballot containing the names of all the candidates for public office, handed to the voter at the polling station to be marked in secret: so called because it originated in Australia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Australian ballot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

There’s a key downside when a town moves to secret ballot, also known as an Australian ballot because states there were the first to adopt such a system in the mid-19th century: It’s usually a straight up-or-down vote.

From Seattle Times

“Why we would want to insert U.S. segregationist Jim Crow legislation to corrupt the Australian ballot process, I have no idea.”

From Washington Post

Louisiana’s system is the opposite of what the political scientists call the “Australian ballot,” the shortlist of parties that voters in other countries face.

From Washington Times

Marshfield will conduct town meeting business by Australian ballot rather than the floor because of the pandemic.

From Washington Times

In the late 1800s, the Australian ballot arrived on U.S. shores, and state by state, election rules were changed: Ballots had to be printed by the government, and booths or rooms needed to be provided for privacy.

From New York Times