casting vote

noun

1. the deciding vote of the presiding officer of a deliberative body, made when the other votes are equally divided.

casting vote

noun

1. the deciding vote used by the presiding officer of an assembly when votes cast on both sides are equal in number

Word History and Origins

Origin of casting vote¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

If the vote ends in a tie at stage one, the presiding officer's casting vote - which traditionally goes "in favour of the status quo" - would let the bill proceed, to allow talks to continue.

From BBC

They won’t have the casting vote through; this will be a piece of nationally designated infrastructure.

From BBC

Her support would be enough for him to carry on thanks to the casting vote of the presiding officer which, by convention, would be for the status quo.

From BBC

His old SNP leadership rival, Ash Regan, member of Alex Salmond's Alba Party, is likely to hold the casting vote when MSPs decide his future.

From BBC

For the person who is likely to hold the casting vote when MSPs vote on his future is none other than his former SNP leadership rival, Ash Regan, who resigned as a minister in Ms Sturgeon's government in protest at attempts to make it easier to legally change gender.

From BBC