# stuff the ballot box

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/stuff-the-ballot-box
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To commit fraud in an election by depositing extra or otherwise illegitimate ballots into the container holding the ballots of voters, in an attempt to secure victory for a particular candidate or outcome.

## Examples

- The corrupt politician tried to stuff the ballot box to win.
- Election officials discovered that someone had tried to stuff the ballot box with fake votes to change the result.
- The investigation revealed a systematic effort to stuff the ballot box, effectively undermining the democratic integrity of the entire local election.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.