electio

Electio is a Latin noun meaning "selection" or "election." It denotes the act of choosing or the process by which someone is selected for a position, office, or status. The verb from which it derives is eligere, "to choose," and related forms include electus, "chosen," and electoralis, "electoral." The concept has left its mark on many modern languages, giving rise to the English words election, elective, and elector.

In classical Roman usage, electio referred to the procedure by which magistrates were chosen, typically conducted by popular assemblies and subject to senatorial oversight and ceremonial aspects of the election. In medieval and canon law, electio described the selection of church leaders, including bishops and, in some contexts, the pope, with processes described in various local customs and decrees. The Latin term also appears in theological discussions about the "elect" or electi, those chosen by God.

In contemporary usage, electio remains primarily a scholarly or formal term found in canonical or historical writing, while English uses "election" for political processes and "elector" for the body or person with voting power. The concept encompasses rules for eligibility, voting methods, and the legitimacy of the outcome, whether in political, religious, or organizational settings.