Canceled election
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A canceled election is an election for a certain seat that has been called off or dissolved. Elections are most often canceled when a candidate runs unopposed. Other times, elections are canceled because no candidates file to run in that race. Primary elections can also be canceled if not enough candidates file to run.
Laws governing when and how elections can be canceled vary by state. For example, in North Carolina, when an election is canceled, it can lead to a vacancy, appointment, or simply leaving the incumbent in place.[1] However, in Connecticut, if a candidate does not gain endorsement from their party or at least 15 percent of the party's delegation, then the election will be canceled.[2]
This article was last updated on December 14, 2020. If you know of any information that should be included here, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
States that cancel elections
The table below includes states that allow for an election to be canceled. Local-level elections are not covered in this table.
| State | Requirement for Cancelation |
|---|---|
| Alabama | If a candidate is unopposed in the primary election, then the election will be canceled. The candidate will automatically qualify for the general election. If they are unopposed in the general election, then the election will be canceled and the candidate will automatically win. A party can decline to run in a primary, as well.[3][4] |
| Connecticut | If no candidate gains an endorsement from a party or gains at least 15 percent of the party's delegates votes, then the primary election will be canceled. No-contest elections also lead to a primary election cancellation.[5] |
| Florida | Primaries are canceled if only one candidate files to run in the race, and the candidate is elected to the seat without appearing on the general ballot. |
| Kentucky | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[6] |
| New York | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[7] |
| North Carolina | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[8] |
| Ohio | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election. If there are no candidates at all that have filed to run, then the primary election is canceled.[9] |
| Oklahoma | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[10] |
| Rhode Island | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[11] |
| South Carolina | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[12] |
| South Dakota | If a candidate is unopposed in the primary election, then the election will be canceled. The candidate will automatically qualify for the general election. If they are unopposed in the general election, then the election will be canceled and the candidate will automatically win.[13] |
| Utah | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[14] |
| Virginia | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election. If there are no candidates at all, the appropriate committee of the party may provide for an alternative method of nominating a candidate.[15] |
| Washington | If a candidate is unopposed in a primary election, they immediately earn the nomination for the general election.[16] |
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Coates' Canons: NC Local Government Law, "What if No Candidates File? An Election without Candidates?" January 5, 2016
- ↑ Constitution of the State of Connecticut, "Section 9, Chapter 153," accessed December 11, 2020
- ↑ Alabama Constitution, "Section 17-13-5," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Alabama Constitution, "Section 17-13-42," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Connecticut Constitution, "Section 9, Chapter 153," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Kentucky Constitution, "Chapter 118, Section 185," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ New York Election Law, "Article 6, Section 160," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ North Carolina Constitution, "Article 10, Section 163-110," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Ohio State Code, "Chapter 3513," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Oklahoma State Code, "Title 26-6-102," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Rhode Island Statutes, "Section 17-15-11," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ South Carolina Constitution, "Section 7-11-90," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ South Dakota Codified Laws, "Section 12-6-9," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Utah Constitution, "Section 20A-9-403(5)(c)," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Virginia Code, "Title 24.2-526," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ Washington Constitution, "Section 29A.52.112," accessed December 8, 2020
