A "popular vote" refers to the total number of votes cast by citizens in an election, reflecting the direct choice of the electorate. In many democratic systems, this vote determines the outcome of elections for various offices, such as president, governor, or mayor. The candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority. In some countries, like the United States, the popular vote is used in conjunction with other systems, such as the Electoral College, to elect officials. While the popular vote shows the overall preference of voters, it may not always align with the final election results due to these additional mechanisms.