Definition of the word elector

The word "elector" has origins in medieval Germanic politics, where certain groups of men were designated as "electors" in the Imperial orbit. The term "elector" comes from the Latin root "electus," meaning "chosen one." In the Holy Roman Empire, a collection of seven Imperial Estates served as electors, choosing the Emperor from a pool of candidates. This system was known as the Imperial College of Electors, formally ratified in 1356, and continued until the dissolution of the Empire in 1806. In modern-day politics, the term "elector" simply refers to a person who is eligible to vote, and the term "elect" refers to an individual who has actually been chosen or elected via a democratic system. Ultimately, the origin of the word reflects the idea that choosing representatives or leaders is a significant and empowering choice, a privilege preserved in many modern democracies.