By(E)-Election Essay ⋆ Political Science Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

This example By(E)-Election Essay is published for educational and informational purposes only. If you need a custom essay or research paper on this topic please use our writing services. EssayEmpire.com offers reliable custom essay writing services that can help you to receive high grades and impress your professors with the quality of each essay or research paper you hand in.

By-elections (also spelled bye elections and known as special elections in the United States) are used to fill legislative vacancies arising during a term and between regular elections. In general the vacancy transpires due to the death or resignation of the holder of a public office, but sometimes it may happen when incumbents are deemed ineligible to continue their public duties. By-elections also occur when the results of a general election are invalidated due to voter irregularities or recall. About sixty-four countries worldwide use by-elections for all legislative vacancies, and this list includes various types of political systems. Countries ranging from China to Poland, New Zealand to Malta, and South Africa to Iran all avail by-elections when needed. Historically, by-elections played a crucial role. During the time of Charles II, members of parliament in England had no limit to their duration. For that reason, by-elections were the prime source of recruiting new members to the parliament.

To better comprehend the significance of by-elections, one has to acknowledge their functions for the political system. By-elections perform several purposes, extending beyond the apparent objective of filling vacant legislative seats. Voter turnout is usually low for most by-elections in comparison to general elections. Not all by-elections prove important, but some have consequences for the legislature, political parties, election campaigns, governance, and the media. By-elections can sometimes prove an important way of recruitment of new representatives; they have led to turnover of as much as 10 percent in some British parliaments. By-elections also have created a route for parties to bring back leading frontbenchers defeated in the previous general election. The political ramifications following key contests have had considerable impact on subsequent events—and indeed on subsequent by-elections. The special elections in the Unites States have a minor impact on the political system due to a range of factors, namely, (1) the U.S. system consists of periodic fixed-term elections; (2) particular outcomes do not effect the timings of the general elections; and (3) U.S. House of Representative elections for all members are held every two years, with one-third of the members of the Senate elected for six-year terms every two years. Additionally, the United States is a two-party system in which special elections do not typically promote the minority party.

In general, by-election results are unfavorable for the governing party. Though certain by-elections have proven to be critical tests for minor parties, increasing their legislative strength, shaping expectations about party fortunes, and increasing the credibility of challenges to the established two party system. By-elections, in contrary to general elections, embolden citizens to vote for the other party—the less significant party—which they would not vote for in general elections when their vote might change the political party in power. By-election victories for the governing party boost its popularity and support, while a loss leads to the disheartening of party supporters and sometimes divisions in party lines. Nevertheless, by-elections can provide significant political consequences for the political parties as well as the political system.

Bibliography:

Butler, David. “By-elections and Their Interpretations.” In By-elections in British Politics, edited by Chris Cook and John Ramsden, 1–12. London: UCL Press, 1997.
Feigert, Frank B., and Pippa Norris. “Do By-elections Constitute Referenda? A Four-country Comparison.” Legislative Studies Quarterly 15 (May 1990): 183–200.