What is the definition of a swing vote?

A swing vote refers to a vote that has a decisive influence on the outcome of a particular election or decision, often determining the result when the other votes are evenly split. Such votes are critical because they can shift the balance and alter the prevailing outcome, especially in closely contested situations, making the individual casting the swing vote particularly significant.

In the context of an election, for example, if most voters lean towards one candidate, but a small number of votes are in favor of a less popular candidate, the votes that tip the balance towards the latter can be considered swing votes. This concept is especially prevalent in judicial contexts or legislative actions where a few influential votes can ultimately sway the overall decision or ruling.

In contrast, other definitions provided refer to either less impactful contexts (like a judge's tie-breaking vote) or votes that are expected rather than crucial to the outcome. Thus, defining a swing vote strictly in terms of its decisive nature perfectly encapsulates its role and importance in electoral and decision-making processes.