Crossword Genius

Don't vote and get a black mark (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abstain

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

'get a black mark' is the wordplay.
'get' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'black' becomes 'b' (as in pencil classifications).
'mark' becomes 'stain' ('stain' can be a synonym of 'mark'**).
'a' next to 'b' is 'ab'.
'ab'+'stain'='ABSTAIN'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for abstain that I've seen before include "Take no part" , "Choose not to consume" , "Don't drink" , "Spare" , "Cut it out!" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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