[uncountable, countable] the system of voting in writing and usually in secret; an occasion on which a vote is held（通常指无记名的）投票选举，投票表决◆The union cannot call a strike unless it holds a ballot of members.工会未经会员投票表决不得发动罢工。⨁to have / hold a ballot进行／举行投票表决 ⨁ a postal / secret / strike ballot邮递／无记名／罢工投票表决 (also ˈballot ˌpaper) [countable] the piece of paper or card on which sb marks who or what they are voting for选票◆To be approved, 75% of policyholders need to cast their ballots in favour of the scheme.要获得批准，必须有 75% 的投保人投票支持这项计划。 (Finance 金融) [uncountable, countable] a fair way of choosing who to sell shares, bonds, etc. to in situations where there are not enough new shares, bonds, etc. for everyone who wants to buy them进行抽签决定（有权购买股票、债券的人）