decisive vote

[dɪˈsɪsɪv voʊt]
nounpl: decisive votes
voto decisivo
1. A vote that determines the outcome of an election or decision, especially when cast by a tiebreaker or in a situation where the result was previously uncertain
The mayor cast the decisive vote to approve the new budget proposal.
O prefeito deu o voto decisivo para aprovar a proposta do novo orçamento.
2. A vote that breaks a tie or provides the winning margin in a close contest
Her decisive vote swung the board decision in favor of the merger.
Seu voto decisivo inclinou a decisão do conselho a favor da fusão.
In Brazilian legislative assemblies and corporate boardrooms, the decisive vote (voto decisivo) is typically cast by a president or chairperson to resolve deadlocked situations. In Portugal, the reference to 'voto de minerva' (Minerva's vote) carries classical allusions to wisdom and justice. This practice reflects parliamentary tradition in both Portuguese-speaking countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
casting votetiebreaker votedetermining voteclinching vote
Antonyms / Antônimos
tie voteindecisive votesplit vote

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
voto decisivo
Most common term used in legislative and corporate contexts
Rio de Janeiro
voto de minerva
Literary/formal reference to Minerva's wisdom; used in some legal circles
São Paulo
voto decisivo / voto de desempate
Both terms used interchangeably in business and political contexts
Portugal
voto decisivo / voto de minerva
Voto de minerva more common in formal Portuguese; voto decisivo also widely used

Related Words

tie votecasting voteballottiebreakerelectionvoting

Related Idioms & Phrases

cast the deciding vote
break the tie with a decisive vote
swing the vote
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