Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Rom13:1 NIKJV
Authority is the power or right to give orders or make decisions. So when you say a person has authority or have been given authority, it simply means such person has the power or right to take decisions or give orders to his or her surbordinates.
The Bible makes us to understand that every authority given to man has been ordained by God. If not so, that authority will not exist. In John 19, when Pilate asked Jesus Christ where He is from and He refused to answer, Pilate said to Him "Do you know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?" John 19:10. But Jesus answered him in verse 11 saying "You will have no authority over me at all if it was not given you from above" (John 19:10-11 NIV). It is only God that has the power to give and take authority. Forget about your votes, it won't count if God has not ordained it, in other words if God does not want you in that seat, you won't be there. Also, He that place you on that seat also have the power to remove you (Dan 2:21).
