a consultative ballot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a consultative ballot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a voting process that seeks the opinions or preferences of a group, often to gauge support for a particular issue or decision. Example: "The organization decided to hold a consultative ballot to determine the members' views on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Unite will announce the result of a consultative ballot on peace proposals submitted by distributors on Friday.

The Guardian

In a consultative ballot this year 96% of postal workers were opposed to the privatisation, which they said will erode their pay and conditions.

The Guardian

They have done this on the basis of a consultative ballot, the turnout for which they have refused to disclose to anyone – including their own members and representatives.

The Guardian

The PCS has an industrial action mandate covering pay, pensions, jobs and privatisation but three in four voted in favour of further strikes in a consultative ballot.

The Guardian

She reiterated that 96% of Royal Mail postal workers said they were against privatisation in a consultative ballot in June, based on a 74% turnout.

The Guardian

Honduras's Supreme Court ordered his arrest when he persisted with a plan to organise a consultative ballot on changing the constitution, seemingly to allow himself to stand for a second consecutive term in an election due on November 29th.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We do not know how many NUJ members voted to reject the agreement in the consultative ballot but it was almost certainly a minority of the total NUJ membership – and certainly a very small percentage of the BBC workforce as a whole.

The Guardian

However, a number of options are on the table if the consultative ballot rejects the proposals, with Unite needing to preserve its mandate at the same time.

The Guardian

Unite is expected to reveal the result of the consultative ballot on Friday, on the same day the union must declare dates for industrial action in order to maintain its strike mandate.

The Guardian

"The consultative ballot will take approximately two weeks thus lifting the threat of any disruption to the Scottish Open".

BBC

The Unison and GMB unions held consultative ballots with their members over Durham county council's plans to fire 2,700 classroom assistants and re-employ them on term-time only contracts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a consultative ballot" when you need to emphasize that the vote is intended to gather opinions and inform a decision, but is not necessarily binding.

Common error

Avoid treating the results of "a consultative ballot" as a definitive decision if the rules state otherwise. Clarify the purpose and impact of the ballot to all participants to avoid confusion or false expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a consultative ballot" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI underlines, it describes a specific type of voting process used to gather opinions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a consultative ballot" refers to a non-binding vote conducted to gather opinions and inform decision-making. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not as common as a simple "vote" or "poll", it appears frequently in news and formal business contexts. When using this term, ensure it aligns with the intent to collect feedback rather than enforce a strict outcome. Consider alternatives like "advisory vote" or "opinion poll" for different nuances. By clarifying the ballot's purpose and impact to participants, you can avoid confusion and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advisory vote

Replaces ballot with a more general term for voting, focusing on the advisory nature.

non-binding referendum

Emphasizes the non-legally binding aspect of the vote.

opinion poll

Focuses on gathering opinions rather than a formal decision.

straw poll

Suggests an informal vote to gauge sentiment.

preliminary vote

Highlights the vote as an initial step in a decision-making process.

exploratory vote

Indicates that the purpose of the vote is to explore different options.

feedback survey

Shifts the focus from voting to collecting feedback.

sentiment analysis

Emphasizes the assessment of overall sentiment rather than a formal vote.

pulse check

Suggests a quick and informal assessment of opinions.

member sounding

Focuses on gathering opinions by consulting membership.

FAQs

What is the purpose of "a consultative ballot"?

The purpose of "a consultative ballot" is to gather opinions or preferences from a group, often to inform a decision-making process. It is usually non-binding, meaning the final decision may not strictly adhere to the ballot's outcome.

How does "a consultative ballot" differ from a regular vote?

Unlike a regular vote, "a consultative ballot" is primarily for gathering opinions. A regular vote typically aims to make a final, binding decision.

What are some alternatives to "a consultative ballot"?

Alternatives include "advisory vote", "opinion poll", or "straw poll". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "a consultative ballot"?

"A consultative ballot" is appropriate when an organization wants to gauge the sentiment of its members or employees before making a decision, particularly when the issue is complex or controversial.