Acclamation - Definition and Overview

Political

Acclamation is a form of election not using a ballot.

It is most commonly involved with papal elections, parliamentary decisions, and United States conventions nomination processes.

In Canada, a candidate for a parliamentary or legislative position is said to be elected by acclamation if he or she has no opponents for the seat, an eventuality that rarely occurs except for legislative elections in the northern territories.

Religious

In liturgical Christian Churches, Acclamation is a term for the opening sentences at the beginning of the Eucharist.

References

• John N. Wall. A Dictionary for Episcopalians. Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 2000.