Crossword Genius

Don't vote using a black mark (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abstain

'don't vote' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a black mark' is the wordplay.
'black' becomes 'b' (as in pencil classifications).
'mark' becomes 'stain' ('stain' can be a synonym of 'mark'**).
'a'+'b'+'stain'='ABSTAIN'

'using' is the link.

(Other definitions for abstain that I've seen before include "Withhold one's vote" , "Formally decline to vote" , "Avoid" , "'Refrain from, voting or eating, say (7)'" , "Give backing to" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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