Special elections to the 118th United States Congress (2023-2024)
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Special elections to the United States Congress are required in the event of vacancies. This page is a compilation of all special elections to the 118th Congress in 2023-2024.
Eleven special elections for the U.S. House of Representatives occurred:
- California's 20th Congressional District on May 21, 2024.
- Colorado's 4th Congressional District on June 25, 2024.
- New Jersey's 10th Congressional District on September 18, 2024.
- New York's 3rd Congressional District on February 13, 2024.
- New York's 26th Congressional District on April 30, 2024.
- Ohio's 6th Congressional District on June 11, 2024.
- Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District on November 7, 2023.
- Texas' 18th Congressional District on November 5, 2024.
- Utah’s 2nd Congressional District on November 21, 2023.
- Virginia's 4th Congressional District on February 21, 2023.
- Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District on November 5, 2024.
Two special elections for the U.S. Senate occurred:
- California Senate on November 5, 2024.
- Nebraska Senate on November 5, 2024.
One of these races resulted in a change of partisan control. The special election for New York's 3rd Congressional District resulted in a Democratic gain.
Special elections to Congress occur when a legislator resigns or is removed from office. Depending on the specific state laws governing vacancies, a state can either hold an election within the same calendar year or wait until the next regularly scheduled election.
Eighty special elections to the United States Congress were called during the 113th through 118th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 29 seats vacated by Democrats and 51 vacated by Republicans.
Special elections
House
The special election filled the vacancy of Chris Stewart (R). He resigned on September 15, 2023.
Riebe was elected to the Utah Senate in 2018.[35] She said she was running for Congress "to fight for the working families of our state, solve problems with common sense, and to represent folks who have had enough of one-party control."[36]
Maloy, a former Chief Legal Counsel in the office of Rep. Stewart. Maloy, said she would "fight to secure our border, protect our religious freedoms, defend the 2nd amendment, stop out of control spending, rein in inflation, and fight the abortion agenda."[37]
Virginia's 4th Congressional District special election, 2023
A special election to fill the seat representing Virginia's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2023. The general election was held February 21, 2023. The filing deadline was December 23, 2022.[38]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Donald McEachin (D), who died on November 28, 2022.[39]
Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District special election, 2024
A special election to fill the seat representing Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House was held in 2024. Primaries were held on August 13, 2024. The general election was held on November 5th, 2024. The filing deadline was June 1st, 2024.[40]
The special election filled the vacancy left by Mike Gallagher (R), who cited death threats and swatting incidents targeted toward his family as reasons for his resignation.[41]
Historical election data
Special elections, 2013-2024
From 2013 to 2024, 80 special elections to the United States Congress were called during the 113th through 118th Congresses. During that time, special elections were called for 29 seats vacated by Democrats and 51 vacated by Republicans.
The table below details how many congressional seats changed parties as the result of a special election between 2013 and 2024. 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.
| Congressional special election vacancies and results, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | Total elections held | Vacancies before elections | Seats held after elections | Net change | ||
| 118th Congress | 13 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | +1D, -1R |
| 117th Congress | 17 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | No change |
| 116th Congress | 10 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 6 | +1D, -1R |
| 115th Congress | 17 | 4 | 13 | 8 | 9 | +4 D, -4 R |
| 114th Congress | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | No change |
| 113th Congress | 16 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | No change |
| Averages | 13.33 | 4.83 | 8.5 | 6.67 | 7.5 | N/A |
| U.S. Senate special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of special election | After special election | ||||
| 5 | 8 | |||||
| 7 | 4 | |||||
| Total | 12 | 12 | ||||
| U.S. House special election partisan change from special elections, 113th Congress to 118th Congress | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of special election | After special election | ||||
| 20 | 23 | |||||
| 39 | 36 | |||||
| Total | 59 | 59 | ||||
Special elections, 1986-2012
The table below presents the results of special elections to Congress from 1986 to 2012. Contact Ballotpedia at editor@ballotpedia.org for access to earlier data.
| Results of special elections to Congress (1986-2012) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election cycle | Total special elections | U.S. House elections | Seats changing partisan control | U.S. Senate elections | Seats changing partisan control | |
| 2011-2012 | 11 | 11 | None | None | None | |
| 2009-2010 | 15 | 10 | 3 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain) | 5 | 2 (all Republican gains) | |
| 2007-2008 | 14 | 12 | 3 (2 Republican gains; 1 Democratic gain) | 2 | None | |
| 2005-2006 | 12 | 12 | 3 (all Democratic gains) | None | None | |
| 2003-2004 | 6 | 6 | None | None | None | |
| 2001-2002 | 6 | 5 | 2 (all Democratic gains) | 1 | 1 (Republican gain) | |
| 1999-2000 | 9 | 8 | 1 (Republican gain) | 1 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1997-1998 | 3 | 3 | None | None | None | |
| 1995-1996 | 11 | 9 | 1 (Republican gain) | 2 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1993-1994 | 9 | 6 | 1 (Republican gain) | 3 | 3 (all Republican gains) | |
| 1991-1992 | 10 | 7 | 2 (all Republican gains) | 3 | 1 (Democratic gain) | |
| 1989-1990 | 10 | 8 | 1 (Democratic gain) | 2 | None | |
| 1987-1988 | 12 | 12 | 3 (2 Democratic gains; 1 Republican gain) | None | None | |
| 1985-1986 | 8 | 8 | 1 (Republican gain) | None | None | |
| Total | 136 | 117 | 21 (11 Democratic gains; 10 Republican gains) | 19 | 9 (6 Republican gains; 3 Democratic gains) | |
Analysis of federal elections, 2024
Presidential election
- See also: Presidential election, 2024
Former President Donald Trump (R) won the November 5, 2024, presidential election.
The Democratic Party selected Vice President Kamala Harris (D) as its nominee during a virtual roll call vote on August 2, 2024, ahead of the in-person 2024 Democratic National Convention, which took place from August 19-22, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois.[53][54][55][56][57]
The Republican Party selected former President Donald Trump (R) as its 2024 presidential nominee at the 2024 Republican National Convention, which was held from July 15-18, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Twenty-four candidates appeared on presidential election ballots across the country. Of those candidates, four qualified to appear on enough ballots — totaling at least 270 electoral votes — to win a majority of the Electoral College. Those noteworthy presidential candidates were Kamala Harris (D), Donald Trump (R), Jill Stein (G), and Chase Oliver (L).
Featured analysis
- Democratic and Republican presidential nominations: Ballotpedia is providing in-depth coverage of the 2024 Democratic and Republican presidential nomination process, including information on noteworthy candidates, campaign finance, important dates and deadlines, presidential debates, noteworthy endorsements, and more!
Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 presidential election.
- Presidential candidates
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- Ballotpedia's Top 15 Elections to Watch, 2024
- Election results, 2024: Pivot Counties in the 2024 presidential election
- Election results, 2024: Analysis of voter turnout in the 2024 general election
United States House of Representatives
Elections to the U.S. House were held on November 5, 2024. The seats of all 435 representatives were up for election. The seats of the six non-voting members of the U.S. House were up for election as well.
Heading into the election, Republicans held a 220-212 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies. As a result of the elections, Republicans won 220 districts, retaining control of the chamber, while Democrats won 215 districts.[58]
The partisan breakdown in the U.S. House before and after the election was as follows:
| U.S. House Partisan Breakdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After the 2024 Election | |
| Democratic Party | |||
| Republican Party | |||
| Vacancies | |||
| Total | 435 | 435[59] | |
Featured analysis (from 2022)
- Congressional margin of victory analysis: An electoral margin of victory (MOV) is the difference between the share of votes cast for the winning candidate and the runner-up in a single-seat election. In a multi-seat race, the MOV is the difference between the vote share received by the bottom-placing winning candidate and the top-placing losing candidate. Margins of victory can be used to measure electoral competitiveness, political party or candidate strength, and, indirectly, the popularity of a particular policy or set of policies. Congressional races in 2022, on average, were decided by a similar margin of victory (MOV) as in 2020. Relative to 2020, the average MOV increased in the Senate and in the House.
- Rematches in 2024 general elections: An election rematch occurs when the same candidates run against each other in consecutive election cycles. In the 2024 general election, 536 elections in Ballotpedia's coverage scope were rematches for single-seat offices between the same candidates who ran in 2022. Additionally, 69 elections in 2024 were rematches for single-seat offices between the same candidates who ran in 2020.[60]
Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 U.S. House of Representatives elections.
- Results of U.S. House campaign committee target districts, 2012-2024
- Congressional elections decided by 10 percentage points or fewer
- Congressional competitiveness report
- Overview of the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections
- New members elected to Congress
- Comparison of state delegations to the 118th and 119th Congresses
- Incumbents who did not run for re-election
- U.S. House elections without a Democratic or Republican candidate, 2024
- U.S. House districts represented by a Republican in 2024 and won by Joe Biden in 2020
- U.S. House districts represented by a Democrat in 2024 and won by Donald Trump in 2020
- Party committee fundraising
- Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2024
- List of congressional candidates in the 2024 elections
- List of congressional challengers in the 2024 elections
- Ballotpedia's Top 15 Elections to Watch, 2024
- Trends in the margins of victory for incumbents of three or more terms, 2018-2024
- Wave election analysis
- Incumbents who won primaries by five percentage points or fewer or with a plurality, 2024
United States Senate
- See also: United States Senate elections, 2024
Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate, winning a 53-45 majority with two independents as a result of the November 5, 2024 elections.[61]
As a result of the elections, Republicans gained four seats in Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Democrats gained one seat in Arizona. This was a net change of +4 Republicans, -2 Democrats, and -2 independents.
Heading into the 2024 general election, Democrats had a 47-49 majority with four independents. Three of those independents caucused with the Democratic Party, and one other, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema counted towards the Democratic majority for committee purposes.
Thirty-four of 100 Senate seats were up for election. Thirty-three of those seats were up for regular election, and one[62] was up for a special election. Democrats were defending three Senate seats, in Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia, in states Donald Trump (R) won in the 2020 presidential election. Republicans were not defending any Senate seats in states Joe Biden (D) won in 2020.
Of the seats up for election in 2024, Democrats held 19, Republicans held 11, and independents held four. Eight members of the U.S. Senate did not run for re-election, more than in any year since 2012.
Ballotpedia identified 15 races (41.2%) as general election battlegrounds in 2024. Heading into the elections, Democrats held 11 of those seats, Republicans held three, and independents held one. Republicans won three seats previously held by Democrats in Montana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and Democrats won the seat in Arizona, previously held by Kyrsten Sinema (I).
Ten seats were open because the incumbent did not run for re-election. Nine incumbents retired from public office and one incumbent ran for another office. Click here to learn more.
Ballotpedia does not include incumbents leaving office early in our analysis of incumbents not running for re-election. For more information about incumbents who left office early or announced resignations, click here.
Two special elections also took place on Nov. 5, 2024. One special election was held to fill the last two years of the six-year term that Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) was elected to in 2020.[63] The other special election was held to fill the rest of the six-year term that Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was elected to in 2018. Feinstein died on Sept. 29, 2023. The Senate seat Feinstein held was also up for regular election on Nov. 5, 2024.[64] Ballotpedia identified 15 races as general election battlegrounds in 2024.
These battleground races were selected using the following criteria. For more information on our methodology, click here:
- the results of the 2020 presidential election in each state,
- whether the incumbent was seeking re-election,
- whether the incumbent was serving his or her first term in the U.S. Senate, and
- how the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales rated the race.
Heading into the election, Democrats held a 50-49 majority in the U.S. Senate heading into the elections.[65] As a result of the elections, Republicans gained a 53-47 majority.[66]
The partisan breakdown in the U.S. Senate before and after the election was as follows:
| Partisan composition, U.S. Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| 119th Congress | ||
| Party | Members | |
| Democratic | 45 | |
| Republican | 53 | |
| Independent | 2[67] | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 100 | |
Featured analysis (from 2022)
- Annual Congressional Competitiveness Report: Ballotpedia's 2022 study of competitiveness in congressional elections found that 14.3% of incumbent U.S. senators and representatives did not file for re-election. This was up from 9.6% in 2020 and 11.8% in 2018.
- Presidential election results in 2022 Senate states: Republicans were defending two Senate seats in states Joe Biden (D) won in the 2020 presidential election. In Pennsylvania, where incumbent Pat Toomey did not seek re-election, Biden defeated Donald Trump (R) 50.0%-48.8% in 2020. In Wisconsin, where incumbent Ron Johnson sought re-election, Biden defeated Trump 49.5%-48.8%. Democrats were not defending any Senate seats in states Trump won in 2020.
Tap the box below to show more analysis articles related to the 2024 U.S. Senate elections.
- Results of U.S. House campaign committee target districts, 2012-2024
- Congressional elections decided by 10 percentage points or fewer
- Congressional competitiveness report
- Overview of the United States Senate elections in 2024
- New members elected to Congress
- Comparison of state delegations to the 118th and 119th Congresses
- Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2024
- Wave election analysis
- Incumbents who are not running for re-election in 2024
- Party committee fundraising, 2023-2024
- List of congressional candidates in the 2024 elections
- List of congressional challengers in the 2024 elections
- States won by Donald Trump in 2020 with Democratic-held U.S. Senate seats up for election in 2024
- States won by Joe Biden in 2020 with Republican-held U.S. Senate seats up for election in 2024
- Trends in the margins of victory for incumbents of three or more terms, 2018-2024
- Incumbents who won primaries by five percentage points or fewer or with a plurality, 2024
See also
- United States Congress
- United States Senate
- United States House of Representatives
- Filling vacancies in the U.S. Senate
Footnotes
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed April 6, 2021
- ↑ 270towin, "Historical Timeline," accessed March 25, 2022
- ↑ 270towin, "California," accessed October 17, 2023
- ↑ 270towin, "Nebraska," accessed March 7, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Democrats pick Suozzi to replace George Santos in special election," December 7, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "New York Republicans pick Mazi Melesa Pilip to succeed George Santos," December 14, 2023
- ↑ CNN, "New York Democrats nominate former congressman for special election to succeed George Santos," December 7, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Support for Israel at heart of crucial New York special election," December 15, 2023
- ↑ Politico, "Suozzi on ‘clueless’ calls to limit Israel aid," January 8, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "The House expels Rep. George Santos. An ethics report had accused him of breaking federal law," December 1, 2023
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of United States Senator, Partial/Unexpired Term," accessed October 17, 2023
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Congressional District 20* - Special Election," accessed January 11, 2024
- ↑ Axios, "Kevin McCarthy to resign from Congress at end of December," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑ The Sun, "McCarthy officially resigns from Congress," accessed December 20, 2023
- ↑ Governor of Colorado, "Executive Order: Ordering a Congressional Vacancy Election in the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado," March 23, 2024
- ↑ CBS News, "Who are the candidates running in Colorado's Congressional District 4 special election and primary elections?" March 21, 2024
- ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Sen. Ben Sasse chosen as 13th UF president in unanimous vote of trustees," November 1, 2022
- ↑ Fox 42, "Sen. Ben Sasse has been confirmed as President of the University of Florida," November 9, 2022
- ↑ Siouxland News, "Nebraska's Ben Sasse resigning from US Senate," December 5, 2022
- ↑ KETV Omaha, "Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announces Pete Ricketts will replace US Sen. Ben Sasse," January 12, 2023
- ↑ Office of the New Jersey Governor, "Governor Murphy Issues Writ for Special Election to Fill the Seat of U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr." May 3, 2024
- ↑ NJ.com, "N.J. congressman Donald Payne Jr. dies," accessed April 24, 2024
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "OFFICIAL SPECIAL ELECTION POLITICAL CALENDAR, 26th Congressional District (Erie and Niagara Counties)," accessed February 14, 2024
- ↑ WIVB 4, "Brian Higgins announces plans to resign from Congress, set to take top Shea’s job," accessed December 11, 2023
- ↑ The Buffalo News, "Brian Higgins to leave Congress on Friday" January 27, 2024
- ↑ Ohiosos.gov,"SECRETARY LAROSE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES FOR OHIO’S 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION," January 4, 2024
- ↑ The Hill, "House GOP majority to shrink to 2 with Ohio lawmaker’s early resignation," January 2, 2024
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Office of Governor Daniel J. McKee, "WRIT OF ELECTION - UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - RHODE ISLAND, DISTRICT 1," accessed April 4, 2023 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "writ" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ CNN, "Rep. David Cicilline to resign from Congress June 1 to run foundation," February 21, 2023
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Office of the First Congressional District of Rhode Island to Remain Open to Serve and Assist Constituents," accessed August 15, 2023
- ↑ Gabe Amo, Democrat for Congress, "GABE'S PLAN TO FIGHT FOR YOU," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ WPRI, "Meet the Candidates: Gerry Leonard," October 6, 2023
- ↑ Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Orders Special Election To Be Held In Congressional District 18," August 2, 2024
- ↑ CBS News, "Sheila Jackson Lee, longtime Texas congresswoman, dies at 74," July 20, 2024
- ↑ Riebe for Congress, "About," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ Riebe for Congress, "Home," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ Celeste for Congress, "Meet Celeste," accessed October 20, 2023
- ↑ Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, "Governor Glenn Youngkin Sets Special Election for Virginia's 4th Congressional District," December 12, 2022
- ↑ WTVR, "Rep. Donald McEachin passes away at 61 after battle with colorectal cancer," November 28, 2022
- ↑ State of Wisconsin, Office of the Governor, "Executive Order #226 - Relating to a Special Election for the Eight Congressional District," accessed May 16, 2024
- ↑ The Guardian, "House Republican cites threats and swatting of family as reasons for quitting," accessed May 16, 2024
- ↑ Both general election candidates were Republicans.
- ↑ This race was unopposed.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Both general election candidates were Democrats.
- ↑ Lamb won by a margin of 0.4 percentage points.
- ↑ Wild won by a margin of 0.2 percentage points.
- ↑ The state Board of Elections declined to certify the results of the 2018 election following allegations of absentee ballot fraud.
- ↑ Collins won by 0.3 percentage points.
- ↑ This special election was called to fill the vacancy left by 2020 Congressman-elect Luke Letlow (R), who died before being sworn in to Congress.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Democratic candidates.
- ↑ Runoff MOV between two Republican candidates.
- ↑ USA Today, "Harris makes history as first Black woman, Asian American presidential nominee," August 2, 2024
- ↑ ABC News, "DNC to nominate Biden and Harris to bypass Ohio ballot issues," May 28, 2024
- ↑ The New York Times, "Democrats Set Aug. 1 for Harris Nomination Vote," July 24, 2024
- ↑ CBS News, "Kamala Harris closer to being nominee as DNC approves early virtual roll call vote," July 24, 2024
- ↑ DNC, "DNC and DNCC Chairs Announce Results of Presidential Nominating Petition Process and Opening of Virtual Roll Call on August 1," July 30, 2024
- ↑ These figures include the seat of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who resigned on November 13, 2024, after winning re-election.
- ↑ These figures include the seat of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) who resigned after winning re-election.
- ↑ This number only includes races for offices with four-year term lengths.
- ↑ Two independents-Sens. Angus King and Bernie Sanders-caucus with the Democratic Party.
- ↑ This number does not include the special election for a Senate seat in California, as that seat was also up for regular election.
- ↑ Siouxland News, "Nebraska's Ben Sasse resigning from US Senate," December 5, 2022
- ↑ Associated Press, "Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, trailblazer and champion of liberal priorities, dies at age 90," September 29, 2023
- ↑ Three independents caucus with the Democratic Party. Another independent, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, counts toward the Democratic majority for committee purposes.
- ↑ Two independents caucus with the Democratic Party.
- ↑ Two independents caucus with the Democratic Party.
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