People who cast votes in an election or decision-making process. The collective body of citizens eligible to participate in democratic processes.
From Latin 'votum' meaning vow or wish, through Old French 'vouer'. Originally referred to religious vows, but by the 16th century expanded to mean expressing a choice or preference in secular contexts.
The evolution from religious vow to political choice reveals democracy's spiritual roots - voting was once literally a sacred act of making promises to gods. Modern democracies still echo this reverence in the solemnity of polling places and the secret ballot's confessional-like privacy.
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