Reelect Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ณ๏ธ
reelect
[หriหษชหlษkt ]
Definition
political context
To reelect means to elect someone again to a position, typically in government or a similar role. This term is often used in the context of elections where an incumbent is seeking to retain their position for another term.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The senator was reelected for a third term.
- Voters chose to reelect the mayor for another year.
- The council members will reelect their president next month.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Political Science
- Incumbents often have an advantage in elections due to name recognition and established support.
- Voter turnout plays a critical role in the chance of reelecting a candidate; higher turnout often favors incumbents.
- Reelection rates vary significantly across different political systems and countries.
History
- In the United States, Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms, influencing how often they are reelected.
- Some historical figures were famous for being reelected multiple times, like Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served four terms.
Psychology
- Voters often show bias towards familiar candidates; this is known as the familiarity effect.
- Studies suggest that positive media portrayal can significantly influence public perception, affecting reelection chances.
Origin of 'reelect'
Main points about word origin
- The prefix 're-' means 'again', while 'elect' comes from Latin 'electus', meaning 'chosen'.
- The term started being commonly used in political contexts in the 20th century, particularly in electoral systems.
The term 'reelect' is a combination of the prefix 're-', which means again or back, and the verb 'elect', which comes from the Latin 'electus', the past participle of 'eligere' meaning 'to choose'. The use of 'reelect' in English can be traced back to the political developments as electoral systems became more formalized in the 19th century. In democratic societies, the process of reelection signifies not just the continuation of an individual in power but also reflects public sentiment and the political landscape at the time of voting. The word gained prominence especially in the context of United States politics, where incumbents often campaign for reelection in cycles, thereby making the term a well-known part of the political dialogue.