What is "sortition"

Sortition \Sor*ti"tion\, n. [L. sortitio, from sortiri to draw or cast lots, fr. sors, sortis, a lot.] Selection or appointment by lot. [Obs.]
--Bp. Hall.

n. selection by drawing lots

n. making a chance decision by using lots (straws or pebbles etc.) that are thrown or drawn [syn: casting lots, drawing lots]

In governance, sortition (also known as allotment or demarchy) selects officers as a random sample from a larger pool of candidates.

In ancient Athenian democracy, sortition was the traditional and primary method for appointing political officials and its use was regarded as a principal characteristic of democracy.

Sortition is commonly used to select prospective jurors in common law-based legal systems and is sometimes used today in forming citizen groups with political advisory power ( citizens' juries or citizens' assemblies).