vote for + candidate/proposal
Showing support
For introduces the person, party, or idea you support.
They voted for the independent candidate.
Vote for, in, against, on or at?
Different prepositions after vote express support, opposition, topics, locations, or reactions.
Quick answer
Which preposition should follow vote?
Use vote for to support someone or something, vote against to oppose, and vote on for the subject being decided. Vote in can mean elect or can introduce a location. Vote at usually refers to a place or event.
She plans to vote for the new proposal.
The committee voted against the changes.
Members will vote on the budget tomorrow.
Citizens can vote in local elections.
The committee voted against the changes.
Members will vote on the budget tomorrow.
Citizens can vote in local elections.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
vote against + proposal
Expressing opposition
Against is used when rejecting something.
Most members voted against the amendment.
vote on + issue
Deciding a topic formally
On introduces the matter under discussion.
Parliament will vote on the bill next week.
vote in + election/place
Electing or voting within a context
Vote in can mean elect someone or refer to the election context.
The party was voted in after a close race.
People can vote in person or online.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
vote for
I voted for the proposal.
Support a person or idea.
vote in
The mayor was voted in last year.
Elect someone to office or indicate the election context.
vote against
They voted against the plan.
Reject or oppose something.
vote on
The board voted on the new policy.
Make a decision about a topic.
vote at
Thousands voted at local polling stations.
At introduces the place or event, not a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using on for a candidate
On is for issues or proposals, not people you support.
✕ She voted on the candidate. ✓ She voted for the candidate.Confusing vote in and vote for
Vote in means elect; vote for means support.
✕ The city voted for a new mayor into office. ✓ The city voted in a new mayor.Using at as the main complement
At usually introduces a place.
✕ They voted at the proposal. ✓ They voted on the proposal.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The committee voted ___ the new safety rules.
2. Citizens will vote ___ the constitutional amendment next month.
3. Most delegates voted ___ the proposal.
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Frequently asked questions
What does vote in mean?
It usually means electing someone to office, as in vote in a new president.
Can vote at be correct?
Yes, when at introduces a place or event, such as vote at a polling station.
Should I use vote on or vote for a law?
Use vote on when discussing the decision process. Use vote for when expressing support for the law.
Related preposition guides
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