Choice initially denied in ballot (8)
I believe the answer is:
election
'ballot' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'choice initially denied' is the wordplay.
'choice' becomes 'selection' (synonyms).
'initially denied' means to remove the first letter (the word is denied its initial).
'selection' with its initial letter taken off is 'ELECTION'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for election that I've seen before include "Procedure for choosing government" , "A vote to select the winner" , "Formal vote" , "Voting opportunity" , "Poll" .)