Definition:
Tactical voting is the practice of voting for a candidate or party not because they are the voter’s preferred choice, but because they are perceived as the most viable option for preventing an undesired outcome within a given electoral system.
Usage Context:
Commonly discussed in first-past-the-post and other non-proportional voting systems, particularly during closely contested elections. Often framed as pragmatic, strategic, or necessary to stop a worse alternative.
Critical Note:
Tactical voting highlights structural limitations within electoral systems rather than genuine voter preference. While it can feel empowering in the short term, it may also reinforce the very systems that constrain choice, normalising compromise as participation and reducing pressure for deeper democratic reform.