Landslide Elections are not at all uncommon in Real Life; the examples can go on and on. Since these are so much more common in Real Life than in fiction, only truly exceptional real-life examples should be listed- it will vary depending on the electoral system in question, but ideally, shoot for a threshold of victory with at least 70% of the vote.note
The Election Was Just for Show
The election was held in a state where the elections are just for show, serving to confirm that 'the people' support the incumbent despot (or despots). Seen in many generally authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, whether old or still existing, which still have elections. See also and .
The Candidate Is Too Radical
A party normally in strong contention nominates a more radical or philosophically principled candidate, whose proposals are too far out of the mainstream to garner much public support. He is then thoroughly clobbered by a more pragmatic opponent. Sometimes, however, this defeat is instrumental in securing a victory in some future election; the idealist candidate 'rallies the troops' and gets them excited about politics again.
The Opponent Is Too Popular
One candidate is so strong and so popular (sometimes because of a war effort) that the opposition has no chance whatsoever, even though said opposition would probably win against a generic candidate. Often, the main opposition will decline to run against the candidate or even support it, leaving minor parties to try (and fail) to win.
The Party Is Divided
The main opposition party disintegrates due to internal dissension and a general lack of organisation and purpose. One party will win all the major elections until a viable replacement for the opposition can be found.
The Ruling Party Screwed Things Up
The party which has been governing for the past few years has been doing a cruddy job, or at least many people that they have. In an election that most people think is long-overdue, the electorate decides to "Throw the Bums Out" in a big way.
The Voters Take a Third Option
A major party winds up getting split between two factions, allowing another party to come up the middle and win easily. May or may not overlap with the party disintegration variant, above.
The Candidate Had a Shady History
One candidate self-sabotages, be it from personal baggage, scandal, criminal proceedings, or a huge gaffe, handing victory to the opposition.
The Candidate Just Didn't Click
No particular problem, major scandal, or political issue caused a candidate to lose out on the seat by such a wide margin; there was just a huge gap of charisma and ability to connect with voters separating the candidates.
