Analysis of uncontested elections, 2025

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Throughout 2025, this page will display monthly statistics regarding the number and percentage of uncontested and contested elections covered by Ballotpedia.

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 2024, 64% of elections covered by Ballotpedia were uncontested, ranging from a low of 50% in 2021 to a high of 70% in 2024.

Through October 2025, Ballotpedia covered 24,366 elections across 46 states. Of that total, 17,912 (74%) were uncontested and 6,454 (26%) were contested.

The 74% uncontested election rate found through October 2025 is the third-highest rate Ballotpedia has recorded at this point in the year since data collection began in 2018. The highest rate was 78% in 2020, while the lowest was 54% in 2019.

This analysis spans offices at all levels of government, excluding the presidency. As of October 2025, mayoral and state judge races had some of the highest rates of uncontested elections. Of the 2,937 mayoral races analyzed, 2,205 (75%) were uncontested. Of the 4 state judge races, 3 (75%) were uncontested. School board elections had the lowest rate, with 1,708 of 3,247 contests (52%) uncontested.

The figures on this page are limited to elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope. Ballotpedia is building towards comprehensive coverage of all elections nationwide. In 2025, coverage in some states includes a small fraction of elections in the state, prioritizing the most populous cities and districts. In 26 states, Ballotpedia's coverage includes comprehensive coverage of all elections. 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:

Year-to-date

Through October 2025, Ballotpedia covered 24,366 elections across 46 states. Of that total, 17,912 (74%) were uncontested and 6,454 (26%) were contested.


Historical comparison

On average, between 2018 and 2025, 64% of elections covered by Ballotpedia were uncontested, ranging from a low of 50% in 2021 to a high of 70% in 2024.

The 74% uncontested election rate found through October 2025 is the third-highest rate Ballotpedia has recorded at this point in the year since data collection began in 2018. The highest rate was 78% in 2020, while the lowest was 54% in 2019.

By month

October

Last updated: October 30, 2025


Ballotpedia covered 103 elections in 11 states in October. Of that total, 23 (22%) were uncontested and 80 (78%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Oct. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 103 23 22.3% 80 77.7%
Alaska 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Alabama 7 0 0.0% 7 100.0%
Florida 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Iowa 17 3 17.6% 14 82.4%
Louisiana 15 4 26.7% 11 73.3%
North Carolina 49 9 18.4% 40 81.6%
Oregon 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
South Carolina 6 3 50.0% 3 50.0%
Tennessee 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Texas 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Wisconsin 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%

September

Last updated: October 2, 2025


Ballotpedia covered 167 elections in 21 states in September. Of that total, 91 (54%) were uncontested and 76 (46%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Sept. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 167 91 54.5% 76 45.5%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Arizona 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
California 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Colorado 7 6 85.7% 1 14.3%
Florida 13 4 30.8% 9 69.2%
Georgia 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Iowa 6 4 66.7% 2 33.3%
Massachusetts 11 4 36.4% 7 63.6%
Maryland 18 13 72.2% 5 27.8%
Minnesota 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Missouri 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Montana 7 0 0.0% 7 100.0%
North Carolina 22 12 54.5% 10 45.5%
Nebraska 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Hampshire 15 14 93.3% 1 6.7%
Ohio 35 24 68.6% 11 31.4%
Oklahoma 9 1 11.1% 8 88.9%
Puerto Rico 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
South Carolina 8 4 50.0% 4 50.0%
Virginia 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Wisconsin 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%


August

Last updated: August 2, 2025


Ballotpedia covered 457 elections in 17 states in August. Of that total, 106 (23%) were uncontested and 351 (77%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Aug. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 457 106 23.2% 351 76.8%
Alabama 21 5 23.8% 16 76.2%
Arizona 11 6 54.5% 5 45.5%
California 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Delaware 4 0 0.0% 4 100.0%
Florida 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Georgia 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Iowa 4 0 0.0% 4 100.0%
Kansas 21 16 76.2% 5 23.8%
Michigan 60 19 31.7% 41 68.3%
Minnesota 14 3 21.4% 11 78.6%
Mississippi 28 21 75.0% 7 25.0%
Puerto Rico 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Rhode Island 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
South Carolina 8 2 25.0% 6 75.0%
Utah 7 0 0.0% 7 100.0%
Washington 262 33 12.6% 229 87.4%
Wisconsin 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%

July

Last updated: July 30, 2025

Ballotpedia covered 31 elections in 11 states in July. Of that total, 9 (29%) were uncontested and 22 (71%) were contested.

Uncontested and contested elections, July 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 31 09 29% 22 71%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Arizona 5 3 60.0% 2 40.0%
California 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
District of Columbia 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Delaware 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Florida 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Georgia 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Iowa 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Missouri 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Rhode Island 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
South Carolina 9 2 22.2% 7 77.8%


June

Last updated: June 1, 2025

Ballotpedia covered 900 elections in 20 states in June. Of that total, 629 (70%) were uncontested and 271 (30%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, June 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 900 629 69.9% 271 30.1%
Alabama 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Arkansas 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
California 4 0 0.0% 4 100.0%
Delaware 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Florida 9 2 22.2% 7 77.8%
Georgia 15 2 13.3% 13 86.7%
Louisiana 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
Massachusetts 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Maine 103 57 55.3% 46 44.7%
Mississippi 8 2 25.0% 6 75.0%
Montana 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Hampshire 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
New Jersey 88 56 63.6% 32 36.4%
New York 338 287 84.9% 51 15.1%
Oklahoma 12 1 8.3% 11 91.7%
South Carolina 8 3 37.5% 5 62.5%
South Dakota 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Texas 66 1 1.5% 65 98.5%
Virginia 236 213 90.3% 23 9.7%
Wisconsin 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%

May

Last updated: June 2,2025


Ballotpedia covered 2,891 elections in 24 states in May. Of that total, 1,256 (43%) were uncontested and 1,635 (57%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, May 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 2,891 1,256 43.4% 1,635 56.6%
Alaska 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Arkansas 206 150 72.8% 56 27.2%
Colorado 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
Delaware 29 12 41.4% 17 58.6%
Florida 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Idaho 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
Louisiana 6 5 83.3% 1 16.7%
Massachusetts 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Maine 6 5 83.3% 1 16.7%
Michigan 15 8 53.3% 7 46.7%
Minnesota 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
Montana 163 68 41.7% 95 58.3%
Nebraska 14 3 21.4% 11 78.6%
New Hampshire 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
New York 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Ohio 221 129 58.4% 92 41.6%
Oklahoma 3 0 0.0% 3 100.0%
Oregon 52 33 63.5% 19 36.5%
Pennsylvania 56 39 69.6% 17 30.4%
South Carolina 11 1 9.1% 10 90.9%
Texas 2,053 772 37.6% 1,281 62.4%
Wisconsin 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Wyoming 32 20 62.5% 12 37.5%


April

Last updated: May 1, 2025


Ballotpedia covered 19,290 elections in 21 states in April. Of that total, 15,628 (81%) were uncontested and 3,662 (19%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, April 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 19,290 15,628 81% 3,662 19%
Alaska 38 29 76.3% 9 23.7%
California 7 2 28.6% 5 71.4%
Colorado 6 1 16.7% 5 83.3%
Connecticut 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Delaware 16 3 18.8% 13 81.3%
Florida 67 5 7.5% 62 92.5%
Georgia 8 2 25.0% 6 75.0%
Iowa 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Illinois 12,327 10,280 83.4% 2,047 16.6%
Massachusetts 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Maine 11 9 81.8% 2 18.2%
Minnesota 11 2 18.2% 9 81.8%
Missouri 31 13 41.9% 18 58.1%
Mississippi 23 8 34.8% 15 65.2%
Nebraska 14 3 21.4% 11 78.6%
New Jersey 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
New York 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oklahoma 371 23 6.2% 348 93.8%
South Carolina 38 14 36.8% 24 63.2%
Texas 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Wisconsin 6,315 5,233 82.9% 1,082 17.1%


March

Last updated: April 2, 2025


Ballotpedia covered 194 elections in 22 states in March. Of that total, 75 (39%) were uncontested and 119 (61%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, March 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 194 75 38.7% 119 61.3%
Alabama 10 8 80.0% 2 20.0%
Arizona 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
California 11 1 9.1% 10 90.9%
Colorado 8 5 62.5% 3 37.5%
Delaware 9 1 11.1% 8 88.9%
Florida 57 10 17.5% 47 82.5%
Georgia 22 2 9.1% 20 90.9%
Iowa 8 2 25.0% 6 75.0%
Indiana 5 5 100.0% 0 0.0%
Louisiana 6 6 100.0% 0 0.0%
Maine 7 7 100.0% 0 0.0%
Minnesota 5 4 80.0% 1 20.0%
Missouri 9 5 55.6% 4 44.4%
Mississippi 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Montana 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
North Dakota 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
New York 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Oklahoma 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Pennsylvania 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
South Carolina 23 12 52.2% 11 47.8%
Vermont 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Wyoming 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%


February

Last updated: March 3, 2025


Ballotpedia covered 346 elections in 15 states in February. Of that total, 112 (32%) were uncontested and 234 (68%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Feb. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 371 118 31.8% 253 68.2%
California 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Connecticut 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Delaware 5 0 0.0% 5 100.0%
Florida 4 1 25.0% 3 75.0%
Georgia 4 1 25.0% 3 75.0%
Iowa 4 2 50.0% 2 50.0%
Illinois 102 21 20.6% 81 79.4%
Indiana 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Louisiana 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Maine 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Minnesota 7 2 28.6% 5 71.4%
Nebraska 3 3 100.0% 0 0.0%
Ohio 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
Oklahoma 82 28 34.1% 54 65.9%
South Carolina 21 6 28.6% 15 71.4%
Virginia 3 0 0.0% 3 100.0%
Washington 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Wisconsin 125 50 40.0% 75 60.0%


January

Last updated: Feb. 3, 2025

Ballotpedia covered 25 elections in 7 states in January. Of that total, 6 (24%) were uncontested and 19 (76%) were contested.



Uncontested and contested elections, Jan. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 25 06 24% 19 76%
Delaware 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Florida 4 1 25.0% 3 75.0%
Iowa 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Minnesota 3 0 0.0% 3 100.0%
Ohio 2 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
South Carolina 10 3 30.0% 7 70.0%
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 2025, this includes comprehensive election coverage in the following states, each of which is represented in this year's analysis: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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

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