Nonvotes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The instances of failing to cast a vote during an election or decision-making process can be termed as instances of abstention or non-participation
2. Situations in which individuals eligible to vote choose not to engage in voting, resulting in a lack of expressed opinion or preference
3. The phenomenon where registered voters refrain from voting, contributing to the overall voter turnout statistics and influencing electoral outcomes

Etymology: "Nonvotes" is the plural of "nonvote," a noun meaning votes that are not cast. The word is built from the prefix "non-," meaning "not," attached to "vote," so it describes ballots that were never submitted, whether by abstaining voters or by people who could not reach a polling place. Because the term is formed transparently from familiar parts, its sense can be read straight from its construction. The plural form simply counts these uncast votes, which is why the word is most often used in discussions of turnout and election results, where analysts want to measure how many eligible voters chose not to participate.

Synonyms: abstentions, boycotts, no-shows, absentees, nonparticipants

Antonyms: votes, ballots, polls, elections, participations