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Analysis of uncontested elections, 2024

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Throughout 2024, Ballotpedia covered 76,902 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. Of that total, 53,485 (70%) were uncontested and 23,417 (30%) were contested.

An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. Candidates running in uncontested elections are virtually guaranteed victory.

On average, between 2018 and 2023, 58% of elections covered by Ballotpedia have been uncontested.

The 70% uncontested election rate found in 2024 was the highest rate Ballotpedia has covered in a year since data collection began in 2018. The second highest rate was 65% in 2020. The lowest rate in a year was 50% in 2021.

This analysis includes offices at all levels of government, excluding the presidency. In 2024, 78% of the 2,845 law enforcement elections Ballotpedia covered were uncontested, one of the highest uncontested rates among any office type. School board races had the lowest uncontested rate, at 49% of the 6,995 covered.

On November 5, 2024, Ballotpedia covered 40,646 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories. Of those, 26,218 (64.5%) were uncontested and 14,428 (35.5%) were contested.

The figures shown on this page were limited to elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope in 2024. Click here to learn more about the scope of coverage in this analysis. Click here to view the limitations of this analysis.

On this page you will find figures:

Overall

Throughout 2024, Ballotpedia covered 76,902 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. Of that total, 53,485 (70%) were uncontested and 23,417 (30%) were contested.



Historical comparison

On average, between 2018 and 2023, 58% of elections covered by Ballotpedia have been uncontested.

The 70% uncontested election rate found in 2024 was the highest rate Ballotpedia has covered in a year since data collection began in 2018. The second highest rate was 65% in 2020. The lowest rate in a year was 50% in 2021.

November general

See also: Election results, 2024: Uncontested races by state [1]

This page displays uncontested election information On November 5, 2024, Ballotpedia covered 40,646 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories. Of those, 26,218 (64.5%) were uncontested and 14,428 (35.5%) were contested.

Uncontested race highlights

Iowa had the highest percentage of uncontested elections, with 1,614 (85%) of the 1,902 elections covered by Ballotpedia uncontested.

Both New Jersey and Puerto Rico had no uncontested elections (0%). In New Jersey, all 17 of the elections covered by Ballotpedia were contested, and all 130 elections covered in Puerto Rico were contested.

Of all the state, district, and territory general election races covered by Ballotpedia on November 5, 2024, Michigan had the highest total number of races at 8,146. Of those, 6,455 (79%) were uncontested.

The most uncontested office type was constable, with 97%, or 39 of the 40 covered races being uncontested elections. Clerk and Treasurer were the second most uncontested office types in Michigan. The combined total number of races for these two offices was 2,688, with 2,522 (93.8%) uncontested.

In Michigan, there were more city council races than any other office type covered, with 1,254 of the 1,732 elections, or 72%, uncontested.

By month

December

Last updated: Dec 17, 2024


Ballotpedia covered 123 elections in 13 states in December. Of that total, 54 (44%) were uncontested and 69 (56%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Dec. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 123 54 43.9% 69 56.1%
Alabama 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
Arkansas 27 0 0.0% 27 100.0%
Colorado 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Delaware 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Georgia 16 1 6.3% 15 93.8%
Louisiana 46 42 91.3% 4 8.7%
Maine 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Hampshire 4 2 50.0% 2 50.0%
New Jersey 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oklahoma 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
Oregon 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
South Carolina 6 2 33.3% 4 66.7%
Texas 14 0 0.0% 14 100.0%


November

Ballotpedia covered 40,710 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories in November. Of that total, 26,263 (65%) were uncontested and 14,447 (35%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Nov. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 40,710 26,263 64.5% 14,447 35.5%
Alaska 66 26 39.4% 40 60.6%
Alabama 62 47 75.8% 15 24.2%
Arkansas 2,336 1,797 76.9% 539 23.1%
American Samoa 22 4 18.2% 18 81.8%
Arizona 622 354 56.9% 268 43.1%
California 2,909 936 32.2% 1,973 67.8%
Colorado 177 75 42.4% 102 57.6%
Connecticut 193 45 23.3% 148 76.7%
District of Columbia 13 5 38.5% 8 61.5%
Delaware 86 52 60.5% 34 39.5%
Florida 1,089 343 31.5% 746 68.5%
Georgia 1,865 1,465 78.6% 400 21.4%
Guam 34 21 61.8% 13 38.2%
Hawaii 91 31 34.1% 60 65.9%
Iowa 1,902 1,614 84.9% 288 15.1%
Idaho 137 50 36.5% 87 63.5%
Illinois 1,236 869 70.3% 367 29.7%
Indiana 1,599 1,005 62.9% 594 37.1%
Kansas 210 92 43.8% 118 56.2%
Kentucky 1,221 814 66.7% 407 33.3%
Louisiana 46 34 73.9% 12 26.1%
Massachusetts 223 159 71.3% 64 28.7%
Maryland 59 25 42.4% 34 57.6%
Maine 391 150 38.4% 241 61.6%
Michigan 8,146 6,457 79.3% 1,689 20.7%
Minnesota 4,393 3,064 69.7% 1,329 30.3%
Missouri 255 107 42.0% 148 58.0%
Northern Mariana Islands 17 6 35.3% 11 64.7%
Mississippi 16 6 37.5% 10 62.5%
Montana 362 172 47.5% 190 52.5%
North Carolina 1,148 635 55.3% 513 44.7%
North Dakota 61 23 37.7% 38 62.3%
Nebraska 143 78 54.5% 65 45.5%
New Hampshire 235 26 11.1% 209 88.9%
New Jersey 21 2 9.5% 19 90.5%
New Mexico 320 228 71.3% 92 28.8%
Nevada 238 76 31.9% 162 68.1%
New York 265 94 35.5% 171 64.5%
Ohio 1,100 791 71.9% 309 28.1%
Oklahoma 203 113 55.7% 90 44.3%
Oregon 138 64 46.4% 74 53.6%
Pennsylvania 249 102 41.0% 147 59.0%
Puerto Rico 130 0 0.0% 130 100.0%
Rhode Island 324 160 49.4% 164 50.6%
South Carolina 919 557 60.6% 362 39.4%
South Dakota 75 33 44.0% 42 56.0%
Tennessee 125 34 27.2% 91 72.8%
Texas 3,411 2,438 71.5% 973 28.5%
Utah 137 36 26.3% 101 73.7%
Virginia 53 10 18.9% 43 81.1%
Virgin Islands 10 3 30.0% 7 70.0%
Vermont 133 52 39.1% 81 60.9%
Washington 395 173 43.8% 222 56.2%
Wisconsin 415 301 72.5% 114 27.5%
West Virginia 126 51 40.5% 75 59.5%
Wyoming 558 358 64.2% 200 35.8%


October

Ballotpedia covered 14 elections in 5 states in October. Of that total, 5 (36%) were uncontested and 9 (64%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Oct. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 14 05 35.7% 09 64.3%
Alaska 5 2 40.0% 3 60.0%
Alabama 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Delaware 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Mississippi 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
South Carolina 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%

September

Ballotpedia covered 1,312 elections in 12 states in September. Of that total, 1,133 (86%) were uncontested and 179 (14%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Sept. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 1,312 1,133 86.4% 179 13.6%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Delaware 128 95 74.2% 33 25.8%
Idaho 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Massachusetts 446 406 91.0% 40 9.0%
Maine 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
New Hampshire 470 409 87.0% 61 13.0%
New Jersey 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oregon 3 3 100.0% 0 0.0%
Pennsylvania 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
Rhode Island 249 212 85.1% 37 14.9%
South Carolina 4 2 50.0% 2 50.0%
Wisconsin 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%


August

Ballotpedia covered 11,323 elections in 20 states and one territory in August. Of that total, 8,913 (79%) were uncontested and 2,410 (21%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, August 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 11,323 8,913 78.7% 2,410 21.3%
Alaska 51 48 94.1% 3 5.9%
Colorado 4 3 75.0% 1 25.0%
Connecticut 386 367 95.1% 19 4.9%
Delaware 3 0 0.0% 3 100.0%
Florida 650 476 73.2% 174 26.8%
Guam 56 45 80.4% 11 19.6%
Hawaii 184 132 71.7% 52 28.3%
Kansas 406 356 87.7% 50 12.3%
Maine 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Michigan 6,905 5,543 80.3% 1,362 19.7%
Minnesota 414 302 72.9% 112 27.1%
Missouri 445 351 78.9% 94 21.1%
Northern Mariana Islands 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Oklahoma 60 1 1.7% 59 98.3%
South Carolina 19 7 36.8% 12 63.2%
Tennessee 288 214 74.3% 74 25.7%
Virgin Islands 20 17 85.0% 3 15.0%
Vermont 273 245 89.7% 28 10.3%
Washington 313 184 58.8% 129 41.2%
Wisconsin 538 460 85.5% 78 14.5%
Wyoming 306 160 52.3% 146 47.7%


July

Ballotpedia covered 561 elections in 12 states in July. Of that total, 375 (67%) were uncontested and 186 (33%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, July 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 561 375 66.8% 186 33.2%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Arizona 489 317 64.8% 172 35.2%
California 4 4 100.0% 0 0.0%
Colorado 6 4 66.7% 2 33.3%
Indiana 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Maine 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Michigan 35 35 100.0% 0 0.0%
Nebraska 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Jersey 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Oregon 7 7 100.0% 0 0.0%
South Carolina 9 3 33.3% 6 66.7%
Wisconsin 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%

June

Ballotpedia covered 5,087 elections in 24 state, the District of Columbia, and one territory in June. Of that total, 3,860 (76%) were uncontested and 1,227 (24%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, June 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 5,087 3,860 75.9% 1,227 24.1%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
California 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Colorado 227 183 80.6% 44 19.4%
District of Columbia 18 12 66.7% 6 33.3%
Delaware 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Florida 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Georgia 112 0 0.0% 112 100.0%
Iowa 258 233 90.3% 25 9.7%
Indiana 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Maine 526 468 89.0% 58 11.0%
Michigan 22 22 100.0% 0 0.0%
Montana 450 324 72.0% 126 28.0%
North Dakota 120 99 82.5% 21 17.5%
New Jersey 32 11 34.4% 21 65.6%
New Mexico 262 211 80.5% 51 19.5%
Nevada 183 107 58.5% 76 41.5%
New York 816 770 94.4% 46 5.6%
Ohio 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oklahoma 427 243 56.9% 184 43.1%
Oregon 4 4 100.0% 0 0.0%
Puerto Rico 618 523 84.6% 95 15.4%
South Carolina 543 291 53.6% 252 46.4%
South Dakota 152 106 69.7% 46 30.3%
Texas 10 1 10.0% 9 90.0%
Utah 271 232 85.6% 39 14.4%
Virginia 26 16 61.5% 10 38.5%

May

Ballotpedia covered 5,796 elections in 23 states in May. Of that total, 4,035 (70%) were uncontested and 1,761 (30%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, May 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 5,796 4,035 69.6% 1,761 30.4%
Alaska 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Arkansas 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
California 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Delaware 23 10 43.5% 13 56.5%
Florida 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Georgia 2,925 2,167 74.1% 758 25.9%
Idaho 237 176 74.3% 61 25.7%
Indiana 1,183 825 69.7% 358 30.3%
Kentucky 346 245 70.8% 101 29.2%
Maryland 76 30 39.5% 46 60.5%
Maine 7 4 57.1% 3 42.9%
Michigan 21 5 23.8% 16 76.2%
Minnesota 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Montana 105 23 21.9% 82 78.1%
North Carolina 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Nebraska 134 95 70.9% 39 29.1%
Nevada 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
New York 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oregon 206 156 75.7% 50 24.3%
South Carolina 21 13 61.9% 8 38.1%
Texas 223 80 35.9% 143 64.1%
West Virginia 258 197 76.4% 61 23.6%
Wyoming 17 8 47.1% 9 52.9%

April

Ballotpedia covered 4,609 elections in 222 states in April. Of that total, 3,282 (71%) were uncontested and 1,327 (29%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Apr. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 4,609 3,282 71.2% 1,327 28.8%
Alaska 35 30 85.7% 5 14.3%
Alabama 10 2 20.0% 8 80.0%
Arkansas 25 0 0.0% 25 100.0%
California 9 3 33.3% 6 66.7%
Delaware 17 2 11.8% 15 88.2%
Florida 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Georgia 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Kansas 10 10 100.0% 0 0.0%
Louisiana 6 6 100.0% 0 0.0%
Michigan 4 2 50.0% 2 50.0%
Minnesota 5 1 20.0% 4 80.0%
Missouri 20 6 30.0% 14 70.0%
Mississippi 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
New Jersey 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
New York 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oklahoma 154 21 13.6% 133 86.4%
Oregon 4 4 100.0% 0 0.0%
Pennsylvania 499 451 90.4% 48 9.6%
South Carolina 10 5 50.0% 5 50.0%
Texas 7 6 85.7% 1 14.3%
Utah 162 111 68.5% 51 31.5%
Wisconsin 3,621 2,620 72.4% 1,001 27.6%

March

Ballotpedia covered 7,011 elections in 26 states and 2 territories in March. Of that total, 5,398 (77%) were uncontested and 1,613 (23%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, March 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 7,011 5,398 77% 1,613 23%
Alabama 125 96 76.8% 29 23.2%
Arkansas 1,793 1,512 84.3% 281 15.7%
Arizona 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
California 1,090 718 65.9% 372 34.1%
Delaware 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Georgia 13 0 0.0% 13 100.0%
Guam 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Iowa 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Illinois 435 373 85.7% 62 14.3%
Indiana 13 11 84.6% 2 15.4%
Kentucky 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Louisiana 5 5 100.0% 0 0.0%
Massachusetts 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Maine 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Minnesota 9 5 55.6% 4 44.4%
Mississippi 10 6 60.0% 4 40.0%
North Carolina 843 522 61.9% 321 38.1%
Nebraska 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Hampshire 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Ohio 1,406 1,188 84.5% 218 15.5%
Oklahoma 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Puerto Rico 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Rhode Island 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
South Carolina 8 8 100.0% 0 0.0%
Tennessee 62 46 74.2% 16 25.8%
Texas 1,108 834 75.3% 274 24.7%
Utah 68 63 92.6% 5 7.4%
Vermont 4 2 50.0% 2 50.0%

February

Ballotpedia covered 333 elections in 15 states in February. Of that total, 160 (48%) were uncontested and 173 (52%) were contested.



Uncontested and contested elections, Feb. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 333 160 48% 173 52%
Arkansas 13 12 92.3% 1 7.7%
Colorado 4 4 100.0% 0 0.0%
Georgia 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Massachusetts 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Michigan 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Minnesota 6 3 50.0% 3 50.0%
New York 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Ohio 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Oklahoma 86 32 37.2% 54 62.8%
Oregon 4 4 100.0% 0 0.0%
Pennsylvania 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Rhode Island 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Texas 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
Washington 4 0 0.0% 4 100.0%
Wisconsin 203 101 49.8% 102 50.2%

January

Ballotpedia covered 23 elections in nine states in January. Of that total, seven (30%) were uncontested and 16 (70%) were contested.



Uncontested and contested elections, Jan. 2024
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 23 7 30.4% 16 69.6%
Alabama 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
Connecticut 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Florida 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Michigan 4 1 25.0% 3 75.0%
Nebraska 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Hampshire 6 2 33.3% 4 66.7%
Oregon 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
South Carolina 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
Virginia 3 0 0.0% 3 100.0%


Scope and limitations

Scope

See also: Election coverage approach for Ballotpedia

The scope of this analysis includes all elections within Ballotpedia's regular coverage scope, excluding the presidency. As of 2024, this included all congressional, state executive, state judicial, and state legislative elections. It also included local elections in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population and each state capital, as well as elections in 475 school districts.

Ballotpedia has also expanded its coverage scope over time. In 2024, this included comprehensive election coverage in the following states, each of which are represented in this year's analysis: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 2024's analysis also includes comprehensive general election coverage in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas. Previous years' data may also include instances of expanded coverage beyond our regular coverage scopes in states both listed and not listed here.

Limitations

It is likely that this analysis underestimates the actual number of uncontested elections.

In some states or for some office types, uncontested elections are canceled, meaning they do not appear on any ballots and are often excluded from other election-related materials including public notices and candidate lists. While Ballotpedia attempts to identify these elections and their winners through direct outreach to election officials, this is not always possible or feasible. The uncontested elections in this analysis are those Ballotpedia was able to identify regardless of whether they were ultimately canceled.

Additionally, this analysis does not include elections where no candidates filed to run.

See also

  1. This page displays uncontested election information related only to elections within Ballotpedia's regular coverage scope