Casting Your Vote

It's election day, and Rahul, now eighteen, visits the polling booth for the very first time to cast his vote.

Meanings in Rahul, Polling officer, Voters

Key words and phrases

electiona process where people vote to choose leadersThe election is scheduled for next month.

voter ID cardan official card proving you are eligible to voteHe carried his voter ID card to the booth.

polling bootha place set up for people to cast their votesThe polling booth was in his old school.

cast a voteto formally choose a candidate by votingHe cast his vote early in the morning.

candidatea person standing for electionThere were four candidates from this area.

ballotthe system or paper used to record a voteHe marked his choice on the ballot.

queuea line of people waiting for their turnThere was a long queue outside the booth.

civic dutya responsibility every citizen should fulfillVoting is an important civic duty.

ink markthe mark put on a finger after votingHe proudly showed his ink mark after voting.

eligiblemeeting the requirements to do somethingHe became eligible to vote at eighteen.

EVMa machine used to record votes electronicallyHe pressed the button on the EVM to vote.

electoral rollthe official list of people registered to voteHe checked his name on the electoral roll.

presiding officerthe official in charge of a polling boothThe presiding officer verified his details.

symbolthe picture representing a candidate or party on the ballotHe recognised the party's symbol on the machine.

voter turnoutthe number or percentage of people who voteVoter turnout was high this year.

democracya system of government where people vote for leadersVoting keeps democracy strong.

exit polla survey of voters taken right after they voteThe exit poll predicted a close result.

verifyto check that something is true or correctThe officer verified his identity before voting.

first-time votera person voting for the very first timeAs a first-time voter, Rahul felt proud.

constituencythe area or group of voters a representative is elected fromHis constituency has three polling booths.

Useful sentences

Ask Have you got your voter ID card ready?
Answer Yes, I received it last month.
Ask Which polling booth are you assigned to?
Answer The one at the government school nearby.
Ask How was the queue at the booth this morning?
Answer It was long, but it moved quickly.
Ask How did it feel to cast your first vote?
Answer It felt like an important responsibility.
Ask Did you get the ink mark on your finger?
Answer Yes, right here on my index finger.
Ask Did you check your name on the electoral roll?
Answer Yes, it was listed at booth number twelve.
Ask How does the EVM work?
Answer You just press the button next to your chosen symbol.
Ask Did the presiding officer verify your details?
Answer Yes, he checked my ID before I voted.
Ask Was the voter turnout high this year?
Answer Yes, much higher than the last election.
Ask How did it feel being a first-time voter?
Answer It felt like I was truly part of our democracy.

Dialogue

RahulThis is my first time voting. I'm a little nervous.

Polling officerDon't worry, just show me your voter ID card first.

RahulHere it is. What do I do next?

Polling officerGo to the booth, cast your vote, and come back for the ink mark.

RahulOkay, thank you. I just cast my vote!

Polling officerCongratulations on fulfilling your civic duty.

RahulThank you. Can you tell me the voter turnout so far today?

Polling officerIt's already quite high, especially among first-time voters like you.

RahulThat's great to hear. Democracy feels stronger when more people vote.

Polling officerWell said. Go home now and watch the exit polls tonight.

Common mistakes

Saying "I did my vote" instead of "I cast my vote" (use "cast," the standard verb for voting).
Saying "I am eligible for voting" instead of "I am eligible to vote" (use "to vote," not "for voting," after "eligible").
Saying "Election is doing" instead of "The election is happening" or "The election is taking place."
Saying "I pressed EVM" instead of "I pressed the button on the EVM."
Saying "my name is in voter list" instead of "my name is on the electoral roll" or "my name is on the voter list."
Saying "officer verify me" instead of "the officer verified my identity."

Quick quiz

1. What do you call a place set up for people to cast their votes?

2. Complete: "Voting is an important civic ___."

3. What is the mark put on a finger after voting called?

4. What machine is used to record votes electronically?

5. What is the official list of people registered to vote called?

6. Complete: "Voter ___ was high this year."

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