Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BAL'LOT, n. [Fr. ballote; Sp. balota, a little ball. See Ball.]

1. A ball used in voting. Ballots are of different colors; those of one color give an affirmative; those of another, a negative. They are privately put into a box or urn.
2. A ticket or written vote, being given in lieu of a is ballot, now called by the same name.
3. The act of voting by balls or tickets.