Analysis of uncontested elections, 2025
Last updated: Jan 5, 2026
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.
Throughout 2025, Ballotpedia covered 38,609 elections across 49 states. Of that total, 26,318 (68%) were uncontested and 12,291 (32%) were contested.
The 68% uncontested election rate found in 2025 is the second-highest rate Ballotpedia has recorded since data collection began in 2018. The highest rate was 70% in 2024, while the lowest was 49% in 2021.
This analysis spans offices at all levels of government, excluding the presidency. In 2025, mayoral and state judge races had some of the highest rates of uncontested elections. Of the 4,748 mayoral races covered, 3,272 (69%) were uncontested. Of the seven state judge races, six (85%) were uncontested. State executive elections had the lowest rate, with 24 of 50 contests (48%) uncontested.
On November 4, 2025 Ballotpedia covered 13,980 elections in 30 states. Of those, 8,331 (60%) were uncontested and 5,649 (40%) were contested.
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:
Overall
Throughout 2025, Ballotpedia covered 38,609 elections across 49 states. Of that total, 26,318 (68%) were uncontested and 12,291 (32%) were contested.
| State | Elections | Uncontested | Contested | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | ||
| Total | 38,609 | 26,318 | 68.2% | 12,291 | 31.8% |
| Alaska | 45 | 35 | 77.8% | 10 | 22.2% |
| Alabama | 46 | 17 | 37.0% | 29 | 63.0% |
| Arkansas | 212 | 150 | 70.8% | 62 | 29.2% |
| Arizona | 25 | 11 | 44.0% | 14 | 56.0% |
| California | 45 | 7 | 15.6% | 38 | 84.4% |
| Colorado | 63 | 26 | 41.3% | 37 | 58.7% |
| Connecticut | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 | 100.0% |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Delaware | 67 | 17 | 25.4% | 50 | 74.6% |
| Florida | 229 | 30 | 13.1% | 199 | 86.9% |
| Georgia | 1,010 | 361 | 35.7% | 649 | 64.3% |
| Iowa | 2,498 | 1,765 | 70.7% | 733 | 29.3% |
| Idaho | 10 | 3 | 30.0% | 7 | 70.0% |
| Illinois | 12,428 | 10,301 | 82.9% | 2,127 | 17.1% |
| Indiana | 6 | 5 | 83.3% | 1 | 16.7% |
| Kansas | 42 | 22 | 52.4% | 20 | 47.6% |
| Kentucky | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Louisiana | 47 | 30 | 63.8% | 17 | 36.2% |
| Massachusetts | 28 | 10 | 35.7% | 18 | 64.3% |
| Maryland | 27 | 15 | 55.6% | 12 | 44.4% |
| Maine | 312 | 192 | 61.5% | 120 | 38.5% |
| Michigan | 434 | 204 | 47.0% | 230 | 53.0% |
| Minnesota | 145 | 41 | 28.3% | 104 | 71.7% |
| Missouri | 42 | 19 | 45.2% | 23 | 54.8% |
| Mississippi | 80 | 38 | 47.5% | 42 | 52.5% |
| Montana | 436 | 216 | 49.5% | 220 | 50.5% |
| North Carolina | 1,002 | 435 | 43.4% | 567 | 56.6% |
| North Dakota | 1 | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | 0.0% |
| Nebraska | 36 | 14 | 38.9% | 22 | 61.1% |
| New Hampshire | 44 | 23 | 52.3% | 21 | 47.7% |
| New Jersey | 150 | 58 | 38.7% | 92 | 61.3% |
| New Mexico | 489 | 256 | 52.4% | 233 | 47.6% |
| New York | 461 | 349 | 75.7% | 112 | 24.3% |
| Ohio | 4,218 | 2,661 | 63.1% | 1,557 | 36.9% |
| Oklahoma | 489 | 54 | 11.0% | 435 | 89.0% |
| Oregon | 53 | 34 | 64.2% | 19 | 35.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 121 | 84 | 69.4% | 37 | 30.6% |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 2 | 100.0% |
| Rhode Island | 12 | 4 | 33.3% | 8 | 66.7% |
| South Carolina | 580 | 203 | 35.0% | 377 | 65.0% |
| South Dakota | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 2 | 100.0% |
| Tennessee | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 | 100.0% |
| Texas | 2,539 | 931 | 36.7% | 1,608 | 63.3% |
| Utah | 18 | 1 | 5.6% | 17 | 94.4% |
| Virginia | 365 | 241 | 66.0% | 124 | 34.0% |
| Vermont | 3 | 2 | 66.7% | 1 | 33.3% |
| Washington | 3,221 | 2,110 | 65.5% | 1,111 | 34.5% |
| Wisconsin | 6,445 | 5,286 | 82.0% | 1,159 | 18.0% |
| Wyoming | 73 | 56 | 76.7% | 17 | 23.3% |
Historical comparison
On average, between 2018 and 2025, 64% of elections covered by Ballotpedia were uncontested, ranging from a low of 49% in 2021 to a high of 70% in 2024.
The 68% uncontested election rate found in 2025 is the second-highest rate Ballotpedia has recorded since data collection began in 2018. The highest rate was 70% in 2024, while the lowest was 49% in 2021.
November general
On November 4, 2025 Ballotpedia covered 13,980 elections in 30 states. Of those, 8,331 (60%) were uncontested and 5,649 (40%) were contested.
| State | Elections | Uncontested | Contested | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | ||
| Total | 13,980 | 8,331 | 60% | 5,649 | 40% |
| Arizona | 7 | 1 | 14% | 6 | 86% |
| California | 13 | 3 | 23% | 10 | 77% |
| Colorado | 39 | 11 | 28% | 28 | 72% |
| Florida | 44 | 3 | 7% | 41 | 93% |
| Georgia | 898 | 355 | 40% | 543 | 60% |
| Iowa | 2,451 | 1,753 | 72% | 698 | 28% |
| Idaho | 6 | 1 | 17% | 5 | 83% |
| Kansas | 21 | 6 | 29% | 15 | 71% |
| Massachusetts | 11 | 3 | 27% | 8 | 73% |
| Maryland | 9 | 2 | 22% | 7 | 78% |
| Maine | 181 | 111 | 61% | 70 | 39% |
| Michigan | 359 | 177 | 49% | 182 | 51% |
| Minnesota | 103 | 28 | 27% | 75 | 73% |
| Mississippi | 17 | 7 | 41% | 10 | 59% |
| Montana | 265 | 147 | 55% | 118 | 45% |
| North Carolina | 931 | 414 | 44% | 517 | 56% |
| Nebraska | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| New Hampshire | 26 | 8 | 31% | 18 | 69% |
| New Jersey | 55 | 2 | 4% | 53 | 96% |
| New Mexico | 480 | 250 | 52% | 230 | 48% |
| New York | 124 | 63 | 51% | 61 | 49% |
| Ohio | 3,960 | 2,505 | 63% | 1,455 | 37% |
| Pennsylvania | 63 | 44 | 70% | 19 | 30% |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 100% |
| South Carolina | 388 | 133 | 34% | 255 | 66% |
| Texas | 390 | 159 | 41% | 231 | 59% |
| Utah | 11 | 1 | 9% | 10 | 91% |
| Virginia | 125 | 28 | 22% | 97 | 78% |
| Washington | 2,958 | 2,076 | 70% | 882 | 30% |
| Wyoming | 41 | 37 | 90% | 4 | 10% |
| Office Type | Elections | Uncontested | Contested | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | ||
| Total | 13,980 | 8,331 | 60% | 5,649 | 40% |
| Community advisory | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Magistrate | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Attorney | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Judge of court of last resort | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0 | 0% |
| Special county education board | 85 | 80 | 94% | 5 | 6% |
| Auditor | 16 | 15 | 94% | 1 | 6% |
| Cemetery | 99 | 90 | 91% | 9 | 9% |
| Utility | 48 | 43 | 90% | 5 | 10% |
| Community college | 99 | 88 | 89% | 11 | 11% |
| Treasurer | 163 | 142 | 87% | 21 | 13% |
| Water | 248 | 216 | 87% | 32 | 13% |
| Fire | 468 | 397 | 85% | 71 | 15% |
| Flood | 6 | 5 | 83% | 1 | 17% |
| Park/recreation | 156 | 126 | 81% | 30 | 19% |
| Local Judge | 222 | 173 | 78% | 49 | 22% |
| Sanitary/sewer | 31 | 24 | 77% | 7 | 23% |
| Healthcare | 132 | 98 | 74% | 34 | 26% |
| Local Councilmember | 352 | 238 | 68% | 114 | 32% |
| Other | 477 | 311 | 65% | 166 | 35% |
| Clerk | 28 | 18 | 64% | 10 | 36% |
| Board of Education | 2,451 | 1,490 | 61% | 961 | 39% |
| Sheriff | 10 | 6 | 60% | 4 | 40% |
| Mayor | 1,779 | 1,066 | 60% | 713 | 40% |
| City council | 6,850 | 3,645 | 53% | 3,205 | 47% |
| Judge of lower appellate court | 6 | 3 | 50% | 3 | 50% |
| District attorney | 9 | 4 | 44% | 5 | 56% |
| Assessor | 3 | 1 | 33% | 2 | 67% |
| County commissioner | 42 | 12 | 29% | 30 | 71% |
| Senator | 20 | 5 | 25% | 15 | 75% |
| Public Service Commissioner | 5 | 1 | 20% | 4 | 80% |
| Representative | 154 | 24 | 16% | 130 | 84% |
| Tax Commissioner | 2 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Police | 1 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 100% |
| Governor | 2 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Lieutenant Governor | 2 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 100% |
| Controller | 3 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 100% |
| Attorney General | 1 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 100% |
By month
Ballotpedia covered 130 elections in 17 states in December. Of that total, 11 (8%) were uncontested and 119 (92%) were contested.
| State | Elections | Uncontested | Contested | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | ||
| Total | 130 | 11 | 8.5% | 119 | 91.5% |
| Arkansas | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| California | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Delaware | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Florida | 13 | 4 | 30.8% | 9 | 69.2% |
| Georgia | 50 | 0 | 0.0% | 50 | 100.0% |
| Iowa | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 6 | 100.0% |
| Kentucky | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Maine | 3 | 3 | 100.0% | 0 | 0.0% |
| Mississippi | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 2 | 100.0% |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 | 100.0% | 0 | 0.0% |
| New Jersey | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 6 | 100.0% |
| New Mexico | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 | 100.0% |
| Rhode Island | 3 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 | 100.0% |
| South Carolina | 11 | 3 | 27.3% | 8 | 72.7% |
| South Dakota | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Tennessee | 1 | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 100.0% |
| Texas | 26 | 0 | 0.0% | 26 | 100.0% |
Scope and limitations
Scope
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
- Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2025
- Election results, 2025: Uncontested races by state
- Elections by state and year
- Incumbents who won primaries by five percentage points or fewer or with a plurality, 2025
- ↑ This page displays uncontested election information related only to elections within Ballotpedia's regular coverage scope
