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Virginia state legislative special elections, 2016

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Two seats were vacated in the Virginia General Assembly in 2016. Two special elections were held to fill the vacant seats, and two special elections were held for the expected resignation of two state House members in November 2016.

Vacancy filled

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:

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 Virginia General Assembly, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is in session, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is in recess, the governor shall call the special election. Within 30 days of a vacancy, the appropriate officeholder shall issue a writ of election. If an vacancy occurs between December 10 and March 1, the writ must declare the special election date be within 30 days of said vacancy. All special elections must be held promptly. However, no special election can be held if it occurs less than 55 days before any statewide primary or general election or if there are fewer than 75 days remaining in the vacated term.[1][2]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Virginia Code § 24.2-216


Special elections

November 8, 2016



See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Virginia Law Library, "§ 24.2-216. Filling vacancies in the General Assembly," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 24.2-216, Virginia Code)
  2. ↑ Virginia Law Library, "§ 24.2-682. Times for special elections," accessed February 16, 2021
  3. ↑ The Virginian-Pilot, "McAuliffe sets special election for Senate seat left vacant after John Miller's death," accessed May 4, 2016
  4. ↑ Richmond Times-Dispatch, "State Sen. John C. Miller, D-Newport News, dies at 68," accessed April 5, 2016
  5. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 10, 2016
  6. ↑ Daily Press, "1st Senate district race will be contested, as GOP and independent candidates declare," accessed June 27, 2016
  7. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 28, 2016
  8. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 10, 2016
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Virginia Department of Elections, "List of Candidates," accessed October 19, 2016
  10. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 28, 2016
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Daily Press, "Mason resigning Va. House seat," accessed October 19, 2016
  12. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 10, 2016
  13. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 28, 2016
  14. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 10, 2016
  15. ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "2016 November General," accessed November 28, 2016
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