State legislative special elections, 2017

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2017 State Legislative
Special Elections
Special Elections Information
Breakdown • Historical data • Elections by date
Special Elections by Date
January 10, 2017 • January 31, 2017
February 7, 2017 • February 14, 2017
February 25, 2017 • February 28, 2017
March 21, 2017 • March 25, 2017
April 18, 2017 • May 23, 2017
August 8, 2017
Other 2017 Election coverage
Filing deadlines • Statewide elections
State legislative elections
Gubernatorial elections • Ballot measures

Partisan control of the Delaware State Senate was on the line in a special election on February 25, 2017, as Democrats and Republicans battled for a vacant seat in District 10 to establish a one-member majority in the chamber. Click to read more »

Across the nation, special elections are frequently conducted to fill vacancies in state legislatures. A total of 27 states use special elections to fill legislative vacancies. In two states, Illinois and Indiana, special elections are used in limited circumstances. The rest of the states fill vacancies either through appointments made by the governor of the state, or by a commission made up of officials from the former member's party. As of February 2017, seven state legislative seats have been filled through special elections and another 21 elections (not including runoffs) have been scheduled in 12 states.

Due to redistricting, state legislative special elections may also take place in North Carolina in 2017. Read more »

Breakdown of 2017 special elections

In 2017, special elections for state legislative positions are being held for a variety of reasons:

  • 19 due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
  • 1 due to an ineligible general election candidate
  • 4 due to the incumbent accepting another job
  • 2 due to a retirement
  • 2 due to a death

The partisan breakdown for the special elections is as follows:

The table below details how many seats changed parties as the result of a special election. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party won in the special elections. It is not typical to see significant changes in legislative party compositions because of special elections. Since 2011, one party (either Republicans or Democrats) has seen an average net gain of three seats across the country, although actual races won and lost by each party vary more. For instance, in 2015, Democrats lost nine seats to Republicans but won six different seats in other races, resulting in a net loss of three seats.

Note: This table reflects information for elections that have been held and not total vacant seats.

Partisan Change from Special Elections
Party As of Special Election After Special Election
     Democratic Party 4 4
     Republican Party 3 3
     Independent - -
Total 7 7

Historical data

Historically, special elections happen more frequently in odd years. The average special elections per odd year between 2011 and 2016 (2011, 2013, and 2015) was 87, while the average per even year was 50. The most special elections in a single year during that same time frame was 94, which happened in 2011. Republicans gained more seats through special elections between 2011 and 2016, which was also a trend seen in general elections during those same years.

The table below details how many state legislative seats changed parties as the result of a special election between 2011 and 2016. The numbers on the left side of the table reflect how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the numbers on the right side of the table show how many vacant seats each party won in special elections.

State legislative special election vacancies and results, 2011-2016
Year Total elections held Vacancies before elections Seats held after elections Net change
Democratic Party Democrats Republican Party Republicans Third party Democratic Party Democrats Republican Party Republicans Third party
2016* 66 38 28 0 39 25 2 +1 D, -3 R
2015* 88 41 46 1 38 49 1 -3 D, +3 R
2014 40 22 18 0 19 21 0 -3 D, +3 R
2013 84 51 33 0 48 36 0 -3 D, +3 R
2012 45 22 23 0 25 20 0 +3 D, -3 R
2011* 94 48 45 1 47 47 1 -1 D, +2 R
Averages 70 37 32 N/A 36 33 N/A N/A
*Please see the year-specific pages for information regarding third party candidates.

Special elections by date

Legend

These symbols denote the status of each special election:

CheckedBoxOffset.jpg : This election has been decided.
RunoffArrow.jpg : This election has proceeded to a runoff.
UncheckedBox.jpg : This election has not yet occurred.
Circle question mark.png : This election is too close to call or contested.

January 10, 2017

Virginia

See also: Virginia state legislative special elections, 2017

January 31, 2017

Iowa

See also: Iowa state legislative special elections, 2017

February 7, 2017

Virginia

See also: Virginia state legislative special elections, 2017

February 14, 2017

Minnesota

See also: Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2017

February 25, 2017

Delaware

See also: Delaware state legislative special elections, 2017

February 28, 2017

Connecticut

See also: Connecticut state legislative special elections, 2017

March 21, 2017

Pennsylvania

See also: Pennsylvania state legislative special elections, 2017

March 25, 2017

Louisiana

See also: Louisiana state legislative special elections, 2017

April 18, 2017

Alabama

See also: Alabama state legislative special elections, 2017

Georgia

See also: Georgia state legislative special elections, 2017

May 23, 2017

Alabama

See also: Alabama state legislative special elections, 2017

New Hampshire

See also: New Hampshire state legislative special elections, 2017

August 8, 2017

Missouri

See also: Missouri state legislative special elections, 2017

November 7, 2017

Washington

See also: Washington state legislative special elections, 2017

See also

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Footnotes

  1. ↑ wdbj7, "Virginia to hold special elections for three open seats on January 10," accessed December 4, 2016
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Richmonder, "Donald McEachin to announce Congressional run tomorrow," March 14, 2016
  3. ↑ wtvr.com, "Jennifer McClellan named Democratic nominee for 9th Senate District special election," accessed December 4, 2016
  4. ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2017 January GA Specials," accessed January 10, 2017
  5. ↑ wdbj7, "Virginia to hold special elections for three open seats on January 10," accessed December 4, 2016
  6. ↑ Richmond Times Dispatch, "Peake, Washington win nominations to run for Garrett's state Senate seat," accessed December 4, 2016
  7. ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2017 January GA Specials," accessed January 10, 2017
  8. ↑ wdbj7, "Virginia to hold special elections for three open seats on January 10," accessed December 4, 2016
  9. ↑ Richmond Times Dispatch, "McAuliffe sets Jan. 10 special election for McEachin, Garrett, Taylor seats," accessed December 4, 2016
  10. ↑ Virginia Board of Elections, "2017 January GA Specials," accessed January 10, 2017
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Dispatch Argus, "Candidates set in Iowa House special election," accessed January 19, 2017
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 WQAD.com, "Monica Kurth wins Iowa House race," accessed February 1, 2017
  13. ↑ Washington Post, "Special election for Richmond-area House seat set for Feb. 7," accessed January 19, 2017
  14. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "February 7 2017 special elections," accessed January 27, 2017
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 TwinCities.com, "Lawmaker doesn’t live in district, MN Supreme Court rules; ballot won’t count," accessed September 16, 2016
  16. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "House District 32B special election," accessed December 4, 2016
  17. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Election results, special election 2017," accessed February 15, 2017
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Delaware State News, "Ballot for Senate special election set," accessed January 19, 2017
  19. ↑ The Eagle, "Date set for Delaware State Senate special election," accessed January 25, 2017
  20. ↑ WDEL, "Libertarian to run for the vacant Middletown-area state Senate seat," accessed January 19, 2017
  21. ↑ Delaware Department of Elections, "Special Election (Unofficial Results)," February 25, 2017
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 WTNH.com, "Special elections planned Feb. 28 for 3 legislative seats," accessed January 19, 2017
  23. ↑ Hartford Courant, "Douglas McCrory And Michael McDonald To Face Off In 2nd State Senate District," accessed January 23, 2017
  24. ↑ CT News Junkie, "Coleman, Kane Resign Senate Seats," January 4, 2017
  25. ↑ The Waterbury Observer, "Lynch Launches An Outside Bid For Senate," accessed January 23, 2017
  26. ↑ New Haven Register, "Candidates for 115th District in West Haven earn respective party endorsements," accessed January 23, 2017
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Pocono Record, "Election set to replace lawmaker ensnared in embezzling case," accessed January 19, 2017
  28. ↑ Philly.com, "Brady on State Rep. Acosta: 'She should resign now' after guilty plea," accessed September 28, 2016
  29. ↑ Philly Inquirer, "Convicted legislator Acosta gets her wish for special election candidate to replace her," accessed February 2, 2017
  30. ↑ Philly Record, "Pols on the Street: Honkala's smart move," accessed February 10, 2017
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 The Star, "La. politics: Governor may steer clear of legislative races," accessed January 19, 2017
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate Inquiry," accessed January 19, 2017
  33. ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Candidate inquiry," accessed February 2, 2017
  34. ↑ The Office of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, "Governor Bentley Calls Special Election for House District 67," accessed December 9, 2016
  35. ↑ Alabama Reporter, "Melton Wins Selma Mayoral Election," accessed December 9, 2016
  36. ↑ AL.com, "Four Democrats qualify for vacant Alabama House seat," accessed December 9, 2016
  37. ↑ Selma Times Journal, "Race for District 67 House seat continues after independent candidate qualifies," accessed February 6, 2017
  38. ↑ Reporter Newspapers, "Special election April 18 to fill state Sen. Judson Hill’s seat," February 17, 2017
  39. ↑ The New York Times, "Tom Price, Obamacare Critic, Is Said to Be Trump Selection for Health Secretary," November 28, 2016
  40. ↑ The New York Times, "Tom Price Is Confirmed as Health Secretary," February 10, 2017
  41. ↑ The Office of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, "Governor Bentley Calls Special Election for House District 58," accessed December 9, 2016
  42. ↑ Weld, "State Rep. Oliver Robinson suddenly retires, raising questions," accessed December 9, 2016
  43. ↑ Birmingham Times, "Three Democrats Qualify for Seat Vacated by Oliver Robinson," accessed December 29, 2016
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Union Leader, "Special election dates set to fill late Manchester state rep's seat," accessed February 15, 2017
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Washington Times, "Special election for vacant Missouri Senate seat set," accessed February 18, 2017
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Missouri Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing," accessed February 18, 2017
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 ABC News 17, "Democrats choose nominee for Statehouse special election," accessed January 19, 2017
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 Governing.com, "Senate control up for grabs in 3 states' special elections," accessed February 18, 2017
  49. ↑ Spokesman.com, "Brian Dansel resigns Washington state Senate seat for Trump administration," accessed February 18, 2017
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 50.3 50.4 Washington Secretary of State, "2017 Offices Open for Election," accessed February 23, 2017
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