elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

plural electors

1

: a person qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

When Americans cast their ballots, they are actually voting for a slate of electors appointed by their state's political parties who are pledged to support that party's candidate.

—Allyson Waller

3

: any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor

Examples of elector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eastman’s plan also hinged on former Vice President Mike Pence replacing the real electors for fake ones, with the Trump ally writing memos that advanced the pressure campaign on Pence. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025

Tennessee's 2024 presidential electors on Tuesday officially cast the Volunteer State's 11 electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump. —Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

While Trump won the election on November 5, his victory was formalized on Tuesday as presidential electors gathered across the country as part of the constitutional process to officially elect a president known as the Electoral College. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

The 10 electors have not been charged criminally related to the fake documents. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elector

• faithless elector

Kids Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor i-ˈlek-tər 

-ˌtȯ(ə)r

1

: one qualified to vote in an election

2

: a person appointed by a state in the U.S. to vote for president and vice president in the electoral college

Legal Definition

elector

noun

elec·​tor

1

: a person who is qualified to vote

2

: a member of the electoral college in the U.S.