voted

Voted is the past tense and past participle of the verb vote. It describes the act of expressing a choice in an election or in a formal decision-making process, typically by casting a ballot or indicating a preference. In sentences, it marks actions completed in the past or appears in present perfect constructions such as has voted.

Etymology and form: The verb vote originates from Old French vote, which in turn derives from Latin votum, meaning a vow or promise. The noun vote appeared earlier in English, and the verb form developed in the Middle English period. The past tense is formed with the standard -ed suffix, yielding voted.

Usage and context: In elections, “voted” often accompanies a specified time or condition, for example, “She voted for the candidate” or “They have voted to approve the measure.” The passive voice is common as well, as in “She was voted in as president” or “The proposal was voted down.” Beyond political ballots, the term can describe decisions within organizations, committees, or surveys where participants express a choice or preference.

Variations and related terms: Related concepts include voting, vote, and abstention. Phrases such as absentee voting, early voting, and write-in vote describe specific methods or circumstances of casting ballots. The word is used neutrally across political, civic, and organizational contexts to denote the act of choosing.