down-ballot

[ dohn-bal-uht ]

adjective

1. relating to or noting a candidate or political contest that is relatively low-profile and local compared to one listed in a higher place on the ballot:

   Very popular presidential nominees often cause down-ballot candidates to win.

Word History and Origins

Origin of down-ballot¹

First recorded in 1980–85; down ¹( def ) + ballot ( def )

Example Sentences

By doing so, they may have gained an edge among the Democratic Party’s current coalition of educated, high-propensity voters, who will take part in down-ballot races that many Trump supporters seem to ignore—apparently even when Trump is on the ticket.

From Slate

Amanda Litman is a co-founder of Run for Something, which launched on Trump’s 2016 Inauguration Day to recruit young, progressive down-ballot candidates and provide coaching, mentorship, and funding.

From Slate

With immigration at the forefront of the presidential election, the southern border has become an increasingly significant down-ballot debate in California.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has just about done it again—and the country’s largely swinging further to the right on down-ballot candidates and even some ballot initiatives.

From Slate

What is one down-ballot item you are voting on that you think is particularly important: In New York, I’m voting on Ballot Proposal 1, which would enshrine a ban on discriminating against ethnicity, origin, age, disability, sex, and pregnancy in the state’s constitution.

From Slate