noun
sympathy vote
A vote cast out of sympathy or pity rather than based on merit or policy. Often used in political or competitive contexts.
彼は同情票で当選したと言われている。
They say he was elected on sympathy votes.
あの候補者はスキャンダルの後、同情票を集めた。
That candidate gathered sympathy votes after the scandal.
票 is a counter or noun for 'vote' or 'ballot'; 同情票 combines it with 同情 to mean a sympathy-driven vote.
Compound of 同情 (sympathy) + 票 (vote). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is a straightforward modern compound.