Morse writer denied vote is put off (5)
I believe the answer is:
deter
'is put off' is the definition.
(both can mean to discourage)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deter that I've seen before include "Dishearten" , "Try to prevent" , "Discourage (an activity)" , "Warn off" , "Hinder, prevent" .)