U.S. Special Elections in 2017

This Week:

Georgia 6th — Ballots must be returned by MAIL — Last day to request a ballot is June 16 — Waiting for Runoff ballot from Georgia? Vote NOW using the Back-up Ballot →

South Carolina 5th — Voted ballots must be received by June 20 — There's still time to request a ballot — Waiting for the State ballot? Vote NOW using the Back-up Ballot →

Overseas citizens should go through the process of requesting an absentee ballot for the handful of States holding special elections in 2017, by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form. The same form is used by first time voters to register, and covers all federal elections in the calendar year, including primaries and runoffs. If you are a former resident from any of the states and voting districts listed below, go to VoteFromAbroad.org and complete the form to request or register for an absentee ballot. Print and sign the form and then send it to your election office to ensure you will receive a ballot for the election. Many states accept scanned forms by email or fax.

Georgia — U.S. House, 6th Congressional District

Special Election Runoff on June 20

Seat vacated by the resignation of Tom Price (R) when he was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services — concerns voters in Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton Counties. Ballots will be sent beginning March 4 for those who have requested them...
Democrat Jon Ossoff received 48% of the votes cast for the congressional race between 18 candidates. He will face Karen Handel (R) — the closest contender with 20% — in the June runoff.  ^{ref 2} 

• MAY 21  Voter registration: email, fax or mail (postmarked AND received by May 24) 5pm
• JUN 16  Ballot request by email, fax or mail by 5pm
• JUN 20  Voted ballot return by mail (postmarked AND received by April 21)

South Carolina — U.S. House, 5th Congressional District

Special Election on June 20

Seat vacated by the resignation of Mick Mulvaney (R) when he was confirmed as director of the OMB — concerns voters in Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Newberry, Spartanburg, Sumter, Union and York Counties.
Democrat Archie Parnell won the party's nomination in the Primary Election on May 2 by a decisive margin, while top two GOP candidates will runoff in mid-May.  ^{ref 3}

• MAY 21  Voter registration by email, fax or mail (postmarked)
• JUN 20  Ballot request by email, fax or mail by 7pm
• JUN 20  Voted ballot return by email, fax by 7pm or mail (AND received by June 22 by 5pm)

Utah — U.S. House, 3rd Congressional District

Special Primary Election on August 15  |  Special Election on November 7

Seat will be vacated by the resignation of Jason Chaffetz (R) on June 30 — concerns voters in Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan, and Wasatch counties as well as portions of Salt Lake and Utah counties.

Deadlines for Primary Election

• JUL 17  Voter registration by email, fax or mail OR
• AUG 10  Ballot request by email, fax or mail
• AUG 14  Voted ballot return by mail (postmarked AND received by Aug 27) OR
• AUG 15   by email or fax by 8pm Utah local time

Deadlines for Special Election

• OCT 10  Voter registration by email, fax or mail OR
• NOV  2  Ballot request by email, fax or mail
• NOV  6  Voted ballot return by mail (postmarked AND received by Nov 20) OR
• NOV  7   by email or fax by 8pm Utah local time

Alabama — U.S. Senate

Special Primary Election on August 15  |  Special Election on December 12, 2017

Seat vacated by the resignation of Jeff Sessions (R) when he was confirmed as Attorney General — concerns all Alabama voters.

Deadlines for Primary Election

• JUL 31  Voter registration by mail (postmarked)
• AUG 10  Ballot request by mail (postmarked)
• AUG 15  Voted ballot return by mail (postmarked AND received by Aug 22, 12 noon CDT)

Deadlines for Special Election

• NOV 27  Voter registration by mail (postmarked)
• DEC  7  Ballot request by mail (postmarked)
• DEC 12  Voted ballot return by mail (postmarked AND received by Dec 19, 12 noon CDT)

Gubernatorial Elections in 2017 

Virginia — Governor

State Primary Election on June 13  |  Gubernatorial Election on November 7

Incumbent Governor, Democrat Terry McAuliffe is term-limited and not eligible to run for re-election. The Democratic primary will decide if Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam or former U.S. Representative Tom Perriello will receive the party's nomination for the November election.

Deadlines for Primary Election

• MAY 22  Voter registration for primary by email, fax or mail (postmarked)
• JUN  6  Ballot request for primary by email, fax or mail by 5pm
• JUN 13  Voted ballot return for primary by mail by 7pm

Deadlines for Special Election

• OCT 16  Voter registration by email, fax or mail (postmarked)
• OCT 31  Ballot request by email, fax or mail by 5pm
• NOV  7  Voted ballot return by mail by 7pm

New Jersey — Governor

State General Election on November 7

Incumbent Governor, Republican Chris Christie is term-limited and not eligible to run for re-election.
Former banking executive and U.S. ambassador to Germany Phil Murphy (D) will face Christie's second-in-charge for eight years, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno (R).  ^{ref 5}

• OCT  8  Voter registration by mail by 8pm
• OCT  8  Ballot request by email or fax by 8pm
• NOV  7  Voted ballot return by email, fax, and mail by 8pm
        by fax or email, ballot must still be delivered by mail

Final 

Kansas — U.S. House, 4th Congressional District

Special Election on April 11
Seat vacated by the resignation of Mike Pompeo (R) when he was confirmed as the Director of the CIA. The resulting seven-point loss of Democratic James Thompson in one of the most Republican districts in the nation “should have Republicans across the country very worried.” ^{ref 1}

Montana — U.S. House, Montana's at-large Congressional District

Special Election on May 25
Seat vacated by the resignation of Ryan Zinke (R) when he was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. The GOP barely held one of their safest seats, with Democrat Rob Quist only “6% short of pulling an earth-shattering upset.” ^{ref 4}

California — U.S. House, 34th Congressional District

Special Election on June 6
Seat vacated by the resignation of Xavier Becerra (D) when he was confirmed as Attorney General of California. State Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez (D) wins the sharply contested Los Angeles congressional election. ^{ref 6}

For Reference

1. Amber Phillips. "A Republican won in Kansas. But here’s why the GOP is not celebrating." The Washington Post. April 12, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/04/12/a-republican-won-in-kansas-but-heres-why-the-gop-is-not-celebrating
2. Brian O'Shea. "6th District: Latest vote counts in Georgia's special election for Congress." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. April 19, 2017. http://www.ajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/6th-district-latest-vote-counts-georgia-special-election-for-congress/JES3Wa5K4ZcpDgRxg8MbkJ/
3. Bristow Marchant. "GOP rivals in 5th race face runoff; Democrats pick Parnell." The State. May 2, 2017. http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article148198009.html
4. Ethan Todras-Whitehill, Executive Director of Swing Left. "Montana confirms it: The resistance is working." Medium. May 26, 2017. https://medium.com/@swingleft/montana-is-evidence-the-resistance-is-working-fb3a4ad0d5a
5. Matt Arco and Brent Johnson. "Phil Murphy wins Democratic nod in fight to succeed Christie as N.J. governor." NJ.com. June 6, 2017. http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/murphy_wins_democratic_nod_to_succeed_christie_as.html
6. Christine Mai-Duc. "Jimmy Gomez wins Los Angeles congressional election to replace Xavier Becerra" Los Angeles Times. June 7, 2017. http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-34th-congressional-election-los-angeles-ahn-gomez-20170606-story.html