Iowa state legislative special elections, 2016
One seat was vacated in the Iowa State Legislature in 2016. The seat in state Senate District 45 was filled through a special election.
Vacancy filled
- State Senate District 45: The seat was vacant following Joe Seng's (D) death on September 16, 2016.
Breakdown of 2016 special elections
Across the country in 2016, special elections for state legislative positions were held for a variety of reasons:
- 23 were due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
- 11 were due to a retirement
- 11 were due to the incumbent accepting another job
- 12 were due to a death
- 4 were due to a conviction
- 3 were due to filling a remaining term
- 1 was due to an expulsion
The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:
- 37 Democratic seats
- 28 Republican seats
Partisan Change from Special Elections | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of Vacancy | After Special Election | |
Democratic Party | 37 | 39 | |
Republican Party | 28 | 24 | |
Independent | 0 | 2 | |
Total | 65 | 65 |
Note: The table above reflected information for elections that were held—not total vacant seats.
How vacancies are filled
If there is a vacancy in the Iowa General Assembly, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. The governor of Iowa is required within five days of a vacancy in the General Assembly to call for a special election. If the vacancy happens in session or within 45 days of the session convening, the governor must call for an election as soon as possible with at least an 18-day notice. All other special elections require a 40-day notice as long the election does not happen on the same day as a school election within the district.[1]
See sources: Iowa Code § 69.14
Special elections
December 27, 2016
☑ Iowa State Senate District 45 | |
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A special election for the position of Iowa State Senate District 45 was called for December 27.[2] The seat was vacant following Joe Seng's (D) death on September 16, 2016.[3] State Rep. Jim Lykam (D) defeated Mike Gonzales (R) in the special election.[4][5]
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See also
- State legislative special elections, 2016
- State legislative special elections, 2015
- Iowa State Senate elections, 2014
- Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Iowa State Senate elections, 2012
- Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2012
- Iowa State Legislature
Footnotes
- ↑ Iowa General Assembly, "Iowa Code - 2021," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statute 69.14)
- ↑ Office of the Governor, "Gov. Branstad sets Senate District 45 Special Election for Dec. 27, 2016," accessed September 23, 2016
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa State Sen. Joe Seng dies after battling cancer," accessed September 21, 2016
- ↑ The Desmoines Register, "Ballot set for Iowa Senate special election," accessed November 18, 2016
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Jim Lykam wins Scott County special election in walkover win," accessed December 28, 2016
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