Word used comparatively often before vote, short expression of appreciation (5)

I believe the answer is:

thanx

'short expression of appreciation' is the definition.

'word used comparatively often before vote' is the wordplay.
'word used comparatively often' becomes 'than'.
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'vote' becomes 'x' (how votes are marked).
'than'+'x'='THANX'

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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