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Analysis of uncontested elections, 2025

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Last updated: Dec 15, 2025

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 38,606 elections across 49 states. Of that total, 26,315 (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 38,606 elections across 49 states. Of that total, 26,315 (68%) were uncontested and 12,291 (32%) were contested.


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

See also: Election results, 2025: Uncontested races by state [1]

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.

By month

December

Ballotpedia covered 128 elections in 17 states in December. Of that total, 9 (7%) were uncontested and 119 (93%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Dec. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 128 09 7% 119 93%
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 1 1 100.0% 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%

November

Ballotpedia covered 14,077 elections in 34 states in November. Of that total, 8,375 (59%) were uncontested and 5,702 (41%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Nov. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 14,077 8,375 59.5% 5,702 40.5%
Alaska 3 3 100.0% 0 0.0%
Arkansas 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Arizona 7 1 14.3% 6 85.7%
California 13 3 23.1% 10 76.9%
Colorado 39 11 28.2% 28 71.8%
Florida 50 4 8.0% 46 92.0%
Georgia 901 354 39.3% 547 60.7%
Iowa 2,451 1,753 71.5% 698 28.5%
Idaho 7 2 28.6% 5 71.4%
Kansas 21 6 28.6% 15 71.4%
Louisiana 15 12 80.0% 3 20.0%
Massachusetts 11 3 27.3% 8 72.7%
Maryland 9 2 22.2% 7 77.8%
Maine 181 111 61.3% 70 38.7%
Michigan 359 177 49.3% 182 50.7%
Minnesota 104 29 27.9% 75 72.1%
Mississippi 17 7 41.2% 10 58.8%
Montana 265 147 55.5% 118 44.5%
North Carolina 931 414 44.5% 517 55.5%
Nebraska 3 3 100.0% 0 0.0%
New Hampshire 26 8 30.8% 18 69.2%
New Jersey 55 2 3.6% 53 96.4%
New Mexico 486 256 52.7% 230 47.3%
New York 124 63 50.8% 61 49.2%
Ohio 3,960 2,505 63.3% 1,455 36.7%
Oklahoma 10 0 0.0% 10 100.0%
Pennsylvania 63 44 69.8% 19 30.2%
Rhode Island 3 1 33.3% 2 66.7%
South Carolina 436 153 35.1% 283 64.9%
Texas 390 159 40.8% 231 59.2%
Utah 11 1 9.1% 10 90.9%
Virginia 125 28 22.4% 97 77.6%
Washington 2,958 2,076 70.2% 882 29.8%
Wyoming 41 37 90.2% 4 9.8%


October

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

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

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

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

Ballotpedia covered 896 elections in 21 states in June. Of that total, 629 (70%) were uncontested and 267 (30%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, June 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 896 629 70.2% 267 29.8%
Alabama 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
Arkansas 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
California 4 0 0.0% 4 100.0%
Colorado 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
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 333 285 85.6% 48 14.4%
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 2 3.0% 64 97.0%
Virginia 236 213 90.3% 23 9.7%
Wisconsin 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%

May

Ballotpedia covered 2,889 elections in 24 states in May. Of that total, 1,251 (43%) were uncontested and 1,638 (57%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, May 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 2,889 1,251 43.3% 1,638 56.7%
Alaska 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Alabama 2 1 50.0% 1 50.0%
Arkansas 207 150 72.5% 57 27.5%
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 161 66 41.0% 95 59.0%
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 40 71.4% 16 28.6%
South Carolina 12 1 8.3% 11 91.7%
Texas 2,052 770 37.5% 1,282 62.5%
Wisconsin 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Wyoming 31 18 58.1% 13 41.9%


April

Ballotpedia covered 19,289 elections in 21 states in April. Of that total, 15,627 (81%) were uncontested and 3,662 (19%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, April 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 19,289 15,627 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 12,326 10,279 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

Ballotpedia covered 195 elections in 22 states in March. Of that total, 75 (38%) were uncontested and 120 (62%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, March 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 195 75 38.5% 120 61.5%
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 7 6 85.7% 1 14.3%
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

Ballotpedia covered 345 elections in 15 states in February. Of that total, 113 (33%) were uncontested and 232 (67%) were contested.


Uncontested and contested elections, Feb. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 345 113 32.8% 232 67.2%
California 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Connecticut 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Delaware 3 0 0.0% 3 100.0%
Georgia 4 1 25.0% 3 75.0%
Iowa 3 2 66.7% 1 33.3%
Illinois 102 22 21.6% 80 78.4%
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 4 2 50.0% 2 50.0%
Nebraska 3 3 100.0% 0 0.0%
Oklahoma 82 28 34.1% 54 65.9%
South Carolina 11 3 27.3% 8 72.7%
Washington 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Wisconsin 124 50 40.3% 74 59.7%

January

Ballotpedia covered 29 elections in 10 states in January. Of that total, 7 (24%) were uncontested and 22(76%) were contested.



Uncontested and contested elections, Jan. 2025
State Elections Uncontested Contested
# % # %
Total 29 07 24.1% 22 75.9%
Alabama 1 1 100.0% 0 0.0%
Delaware 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
Florida 4 1 25.0% 3 75.0%
Georgia 1 0 0.0% 1 100.0%
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%
Texas 2 0 0.0% 2 100.0%
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

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