Definition of the word protest vote

The term "protest vote" originated during the 20th century as a response to growing public dissatisfaction with established political parties. It refers to a vote cast by an individual as a form of protest against the major political parties or political systems that are perceived to be corrupt, unresponsive, or lacking in effectiveness. In effect, a protest vote serves as a way for voters to express their dissatisfaction or frustration with the status quo, even if it does not result in the desired outcome or change in power. The use of protest votes has become increasingly common in many democratic societies, particularly in political systems where multiparty competition is prevalent and smaller parties or independent candidates have greater opportunities to gain representation.