Special Congressional Elections Reach Record High In 2010s

Sun Valley, CA - June 27: Supporters cheer on LA City Council District 6 special election candidate Imelda Padilla, center, at her election party at Chicuagle in Sun Valley Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The number of special congressional elections has increased steadily over the past three decades, from an average of 7.6 special elections in the five meetings after redistricting in the 1990s to an average of 13.4 in the five meetings after redistricting in the 2010s.

Statistics of special elections that have occurred in both chambers of Congress over the years. Various factors have come into play for special elections. COURTESY/BALLOTPEDIA