Changes

A '''by-election''' is an [[election]] that takes place for a single representative district or constituency following the resignation, death or removal of the sitting representative or [[MP]]. The term stands in contrast to a [[general election]], when all or several of the seats in a constituency are up for election. The term ''by-election'' derives from the Old Scandinavian ''by'', 'town'.

A '''special election''' is an [[election]] that takes place to elect a candidate to complete the unexpired term of an officeholder who no longer holds the office, due to death, resignation, or disqualification. (In British-speaking countries, the term '''by-election''' -- derived from the Old Scandinavian ''by'', meaning ''town'' -- is used.)

The term is more prevalently used in British-speaking countries; the term "special election" is most commonly used in America.

One of the more interesting special elections in United States history involved the 6th Congressional District of Texas: in 1982 incumbent [[Phil Gramm]] was re-elected as a member of the Democrat Party, but due to its increasing liberal economic policies removed him from the House Budget Committee; in response he resigned his office, switched to the Republican Party and ran in the special election, and handily defeated ten other candidates (nine Democrats and one Libertarian) without a runoff.

[[Category:Election Terms]]

[[Category:Election Terms]]