split ticket

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

When two or more important offices are to be filled at the same time, the wire-pullers of each party select the men they wish their party to support, and print their names on a ticket to be deposited in the ballot-box. It sometimes happens, however, that individuals choose to think for themselves, and consequently erase one or more of the names and substitute others more to their liking. This is called a split ticket.


Well, Jonathan, you intend voting for Gen. Cass and the regular Democratic nomination, don't you?

Jonathan. Not by a jug full, I can tell you. I am an out-and-out Democrat--dyed in the wool, and have stood up to the party through thick and thin. But I'll vote for no Northern men with Southern principles--no dough-faces for me. Vote for Cass?--why, he's the very boss of dough-faces. No, I'll vote a split ticket. I'll scratch out the dough-face and put in a Free Soil name. I'll go the regular nomination, only substituting the name of Van Buren for Cass.--Newspaper, June, 1848.

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

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