voto

Voto is a term used in several Romance languages to denote either a vote in a political or organizational process or a vow or promise made to a deity. In politics, a voto is a formal expression of choice cast by a person participating in an election, referendum, or other decision-making process. The word derives from the Latin votum, meaning a pledge or wish, and over time came to refer specifically to the act of voting as well as to the expression of opinion in non-electoral settings.

In electoral contexts, votes are counted to determine outcomes. Voting may be universal or restricted by age, citizenship, or residency; many systems use a secret ballot to protect voter privacy. Common types of voting include in-person casting of ballots, mail-in or absentee voting, and early voting. Electoral systems vary by country, with plurality/majority methods, proportional representation, and ranked-choice voting among the main approaches. Verification, suffrage protections, voter registration, and measures to prevent fraud are central elements of modern elections.

Historically, practices of voting evolved from ancient assemblies to modern representative systems. The secret ballot was introduced in various countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to freer electoral competition and protection against intimidation. The concept of voto also appears in religious contexts, where a voto is a vow or promise undertaken before a deity or as part of religious commitments, such as poverty, chastity, or obedience in monastic orders.

The word voto continues to serve as a practical term in government, religion, and social life, reflecting the dual notion of a freely expressed choice and a solemn pledge. See also: ballot, suffrage, referendum, vow.