Election vs. Selection: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
Election involves a formal process of choosing by vote, whereas selection is the act of choosing someone or something from a group, often based on judgment or preference.
Key Differences
An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office or some other position. It typically involves voters casting ballots to express their preferences. In contrast, selection refers to the process of choosing or picking someone or something from a group, which can be based on various criteria like qualifications, merit, or preference, and does not necessarily involve a voting process.
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Dec 26, 2023
The concept of an election is central to democratic societies, where citizens have the right to choose their representatives or leaders through voting. Elections are often regulated by law to ensure fairness and transparency. Selection, on the other hand, can be a less formal and more subjective process. It can occur in various contexts, such as employers selecting candidates for a job or individuals selecting items for purchase, based on personal judgment or set criteria.
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Dec 26, 2023
In elections, the choice is usually made from among a set of candidates or options, and the decision is often binding and has legal or formal consequences. For example, electing a president or passing a referendum. Selection, however, can be a more flexible process, allowing for personal discretion and can be changed or reversed, such as selecting a dress to wear or picking a book to read.
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Dec 26, 2023
Elections often involve campaigns where candidates or parties present their views and policies to persuade voters. It's a competitive process aimed at garnering the majority's support. Selection may not involve such competition or persuasion, as it could be a personal or organizational decision made after evaluating options based on specific criteria or preferences.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Finally, the outcome of an election has broader implications for a community, region, or country, as it decides who will hold power or what policies will be implemented. In contrast, selections typically have more localized or personal implications, impacting only those directly involved in or affected by the choice.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Context
Political, for public office or decisions
Various, including personal or organizational
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Decision-Making
Based on majority vote
Based on individual or group preference
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Dec 26, 2023
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Election and Selection Definitions
Election
Election refers to the act of voting to select someone for a public office.
She won the election for mayor by a large margin.
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Selection
Selection is the act of choosing someone or something from a group.
The selection of the best design took the committee several hours.
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Election
Election is the selection of a candidate or option through a democratic voting process.
The election results were announced last night, revealing the new governor.
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Selection
Selection is the process of picking out or selecting.
The coach's selection of players for the team was based on skill and teamwork.
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Dec 26, 2023
Election
An election is a formal process to choose representatives or decide on issues via voting.
The presidential election is held every four years in the United States.
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Selection
Selection implies the act of choosing or picking something from available options.
The wine selection at the restaurant was impressive.
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Election
Election involves the formal expression of preference for a person or proposal by vote.
He declared his candidacy two months before the election.
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Dec 26, 2023
Selection
Selection involves making a choice among alternatives.
After a thorough selection process, they finally hired a new manager.
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Election
The act or process of electing someone to fill an office or position
Officers are chosen by election and not by appointment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Selection
The act of selecting something
Looked at the pears and made a careful selection.
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Oct 19, 2023
Selection
One that is selected, such as a literary or musical text chosen for reading or performance
For her last selection she sang an old favorite.
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Oct 19, 2023
Selection
A carefully chosen or representative collection of people or things
A book containing a selection of the author's best work.
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Selection
A range of things from which one can make a choice
A store with a wide selection of magazines.
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Selection
(Biology) A natural or artificial process that involves the survival and reproduction of some kinds of organisms instead of others (because they have traits that are better adapted to the environment or that are preferred by a breeder, for example) and results in changes in the traits of a population or species.
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Election
A process of choosing a leader, members of parliament, councillors, or other representatives by popular vote.
The parliamentary election(s) will be held in March.
How did you vote in (UK also: at) the last election?
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Oct 19, 2023
Selection
The process or act of selecting.
The large number of good candidates made selection difficult.
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Election
The choice of a leader or representative by popular vote.
The election of John Smith was due to his broad appeal.
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Selection
A variety of items taken from a larger collection.
I've brought a selection of fine cheeses to go with your wine.
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Selection
A musical piece.
For my next selection, I'll play Happy Birthday in F-sharp minor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Election
(theology) In Calvinism, God's predestination of saints including all of the elect.
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Selection
(databases) A set of data obtained from a database using a query.
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Selection
(linguistics) The ability of predicates to determine the semantic content of their arguments. Wp
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Selection
(programming) A list of items on which user operations will take place. Wp
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Election
The act of choosing a person to fill an office, or to membership in a society, as by ballot, uplifted hands, or viva voce; as, the election of a president or a mayor.
Corruption in elections is the great enemy of freedom.
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Selection
(historical) The free selection before survey of crown land in some Australian colonies under land legislation introduced in the 1860s. Wp
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Election
Discriminating choice; discernment.
To use men with much difference and election is good.
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Selection
(biology) The stage of a genetic algorithm in which individual genomes are chosen from a population for later breeding. Wp
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Election
Divine choice; predestination of individuals as objects of mercy and salvation; - one of the "five points" of Calvinism.
There is a remnant according to the election of grace.
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Oct 19, 2023
Election
The choice, made by a party, of two alternatives, by taking one of which, the chooser is excluded from the other.
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Oct 19, 2023
Selection
The act of selecting, or the state of being selected; choice, by preference.
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Oct 19, 2023
Election
Those who are elected.
The election hath obtained it.
He has made his election to walk, in the main, in the old paths.
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Selection
That which is selected; a collection of things chosen; as, a choice selection of books.
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Election
A vote to select the winner of a position or political office;
The results of the election will be announced tonight
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Selection
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
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Oct 19, 2023
Election
The act of selecting someone or something; the exercise of deliberate choice;
Her election of medicine as a profession
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Selection
An assortment of things from which a choice can be made;
The store carried a large selection of shoes
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Oct 19, 2023
Election
The predestination of some individuals as objects of divine mercy (especially as conceived by Calvinists)
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Selection
A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment
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Oct 19, 2023
Election
An election is a way in which members of a group choose their leaders or decide on policies.
The club held an election to choose its new president.
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Dec 26, 2023
Selection
A passage selected from a larger work;
He presented excerpts from William James' philosophical writings
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Selection
Selection refers to carefully choosing something based on preference or criteria.
Her selection for the lead role in the play was well-deserved.
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Dec 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can selection be random?
Yes, selection can be random, especially in situations like drawing lots or raffles.
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How is an election conducted?
Elections are conducted through voting, either in person, by mail, or electronically, depending on the system.
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What is the role of a voter in an election?
A voter participates in an election to choose representatives or decide on issues.
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How does selection affect a business?
Selection in business, like hiring, significantly impacts the organization's performance and culture.
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Dec 26, 2023
What does selection mean?
Selection is the act of choosing or picking from a group, based on criteria or preference.
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Dec 26, 2023
Are elections always political?
Mostly, but elections can also occur in non-political organizations, like clubs or corporations.
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Dec 26, 2023
What is an election?
An election is a formal process of choosing by vote, typically for political positions or decisions.
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Dec 26, 2023
What are examples of selection?
Examples include job candidate selection, choosing items to buy, or picking a book to read.
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Dec 26, 2023
What are the challenges of fair elections?
Challenges include ensuring accessibility, preventing fraud, and maintaining neutrality.
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Is selection always subjective?
While often subjective, selections can also be based on objective criteria or guidelines.
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Dec 26, 2023
What is voter turnout in elections?
Voter turnout refers to the percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election.
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What is a general election?
A general election is a national voting process to choose members of the government.
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Dec 26, 2023
How do elections impact democracy?
Elections are fundamental to democracy, allowing citizens to influence their government and policies.
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Dec 26, 2023
How does selection relate to diversity?
Selection processes, especially in workplaces, can enhance diversity through inclusive criteria.
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Dec 26, 2023
What role does selection play in sports?
In sports, selection is crucial for forming teams, choosing strategies, and determining players’ roles.
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What is the importance of selection in education?
Selection in education, like choosing courses or programs, shapes a student's academic journey.
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What are primary elections?
Primary elections are preliminary elections to nominate party candidates for the general election.
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Can an election be indirect?
Yes, like in the U.S. presidential election, where citizens vote for electors in the Electoral College.
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Does selection involve voting?
Not typically; it's usually a choice made by an individual or a select group.
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What is a selection committee?
A selection committee is a group responsible for making choices, like in hiring or admissions.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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