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Elections
National elections take place every even-numbered year. Every four years the president, vice president, one third of the Senate, and the entire House are up for election (on-year elections). On even-numbered years when there isn't a presidential election, one third of the Senate and the whole House are included in the election (off-year elections).
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Federal Election Commission
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The Federal Election Commission, an independent regulatory agency, was created by Congress in 1975. The duties of the FEC are to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce provisions of the law on the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee public funding of presidential elections. Get information about elections and campaign finances here.
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2006 Election
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Links to information on primary dates, candidates, voting, and policy issues from the Federal Election Commission and the University of Michigan library.
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2006 Primary Dates
2006 Election
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2004 Election
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Links to information on primary dates, candidates, voting, and policy issues from the Federal Election Commission and the University of Michigan library.
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Federal Elections 2004
2004 Election
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2002 Election
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This publication provides results of the 2002 elections for the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
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Federal Elections 2002
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2000 Election
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Links to election results, information on candidates and voting, and policy issues from the Federal Election Commission and the University of Michigan library.
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Federal Elections 2000
2000 Election
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1998 Election
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Links to election results, information on candidates and voting, and policy issues from the Federal Election Commission and the University of Michigan library.
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Federal Elections 1998
1998 Election
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Senate Election Law Guidebook
(pdf)
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The
Guidebook
compiles federal and state laws relating to the nomination and election of candidates to the Senate.
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Term of a Senator: When Does It Begin and End?
(pdf)
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Learn more about the term of a Senator's service.
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History of Elections in the Senate
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The Constitution (Article I, section 3) originally provided for Senators to be chosen by their state legislature. In 1913, after many years of debate, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. It allowed for the
direct election of Senators
, with the provision that a state’s governor, with a legislative mandate, could appoint a Senator in the event of a vacancy until the next general election (see Appointments, below).
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The Decision to Permit State Houses to Elect Senators, June 7, 1787
The Lottery to Choose Senate “Classes,” May 15, 1789
Direct Election of Senators
“Treason of the Senate,” February 17, 1906
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Historic Elections
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Learn more about some historic elections.
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The Senate Elects a Vice President, February 8, 1837
The Florida Case, February 5, 1877
Senator Ousted, July 13, 1912
Key Pittman Barely Elected, January 28, 1913
November 5 Election in Doubt, October 25, 1918
United States Election, Expulsion, and Censure Cases
(book profile)
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Appointments
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If a vacancy occurs due to a Senator's death, resignation, or expulsion, the
17th Amendment
of the Constitution allows state legislatures to empower the governor to appoint a replacement to complete the term or to hold office until a special election can take place. (The only exception to this rule is Arizona, which requires a special election to fill all vacancies and does not allow for temporary appointments.) Typically, a replacement holds office until the next scheduled statewide election.
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List of Appointed Senators
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Bibliography on
Resources on Elections and Political Parties
(pdf)
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Related Items
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Interested in related materials? Take a look at these Virtual Reference Desk subjects for more information.
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Political Parties
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