Fixed-term election

A Fixed-term election is an election that occurs on a set date, and cannot be changed by the incumbent politician.

Fixed-term elections are common for mayors and presidents, but less common for prime ministers and other members of a parliamentary system of government.

Examples

• Presidential elections in the United States occur every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.
• Elections to the European Parliament occur every five years in June.
• While Canada historically followed parliamentary tradition, the federal government and several provinces have now implemented fixed-term elections although the federal law still allows elections to be held before the end of a term if the government loses the confidence of the house or the governor General is advised to end a parliamentary session.

See also

• Fixed election dates in Canada
• List of democracy and elections-related topics

External links

• Electoral Design Reference from the ACE Project
• A handbook of electoral system Design from International IDEA