An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operated since the 17th century.

What does the name elect mean?

1 : one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor) 2 elects plural : a select or exclusive group of people. elect. verb. elected; electing; elects.

What does elect mean in politics?

An officer-elect refers to a person who has been elected to a position but has not yet been installed. For example, a president who has been elected but not yet installed would be referred to as a president-elect (e.g. President-elect of the United States).