SPLIT TICKET Definition & Meaning

split ticket

noun

U.S. Politics.

a ballot on which not all votes have been cast for candidates of the same party.
a ticket on which not all the candidates nominated by a party are members of the party.

split ticket

noun

See split See also straight ticket

split ticket

A vote for candidates of different political parties on the same ballot, instead of for candidates of only one party. In the presidential elections, for example, a voter may choose a Republican candidate for president, but a Democratic candidate for senator. Split-ticket voting is not allowed in primaries (see closed primary, direct primary, open primary). The increasing occurrence of split-ticket voting reflects support of individual candidates rather than unswerving party loyalty.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of split ticket¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

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Idioms and Phrases

A ballot cast for candidates of more than one party, as in I'm registered as an Independent, and indeed I usually vote a split ticket. This idiom uses ticket in the sense of “a list of nominees for office,” a usage dating from the late 1700s. Also see straight ticket.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She added, “If it is possible to dislike and admire a film in almost equal measure, then ‘First Blood’ would win on that split ticket.

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Studios split ticket sales with theaters, and Cameron has said that "The Way of Water" will need to make $2 billion over its theatrical run just to break even.

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The RNC chair attempted to deflect criticism of Trump by blaming Republican voters who split tickets to vote for some Democrats.

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Walker doesn’t need to get all the voters considering a split ticket, Robinson said.

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But in closely contested elections, even a small number of Republicans who cross over, split tickets or stay home could be decisive.

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split the difference split-time

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