Off-Year Election

In American political usage, an off-year election refers to an election held in a year when no federal general election is scheduled—that is, a calendar year not divisible by two. Because U.S. federal elections for the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, and (every fourth year) the presidency all occur in even-numbered years, off-year elections are confined to odd-numbered years and typically feature state, municipal, and special elections.

The term is sometimes confused with midterm election, which refers to the even-year federal cycle held halfway through a presidential term (e.g., 2018, 2022). Strictly speaking, midterms are not off-years. However, in casual usage—and in some political science literature—"off-year" is occasionally used loosely to mean any non-presidential election year.

Off-year contests are politically significant for several reasons:

• Gubernatorial races: Virginia and New Jersey hold their governor's elections in odd years following a presidential election (e.g., 2021, 2025), and results are closely watched as early indicators of the national mood.
• Mayoral and municipal races: Many large U.S. cities, including New York City, hold mayoral elections in off-years.
• Special elections: Vacancies in Congress or state legislatures are often filled during off-years.
• Ballot initiatives: Several states schedule referenda and constitutional amendments for off-year ballots.

Turnout in off-year elections is generally lower than in presidential years, which can amplify the influence of highly engaged partisan voters, organized interest groups, and local party machines. Analysts at organizations such as the Brookings Institution and the Pew Research Center frequently study off-year results for signals about partisan realignment, incumbent vulnerability, and the salience of particular issues heading into the next federal cycle.

Outside the United States, the term has limited application, though comparable concepts exist in countries with staggered electoral calendars, such as local-government elections held between national parliamentary votes.