WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT SPECIAL ELECTIONS?

In: Legislative studies quarterly, Band 24, Heft 1, S. 103-112

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE FINDS THAT SPECIAL ELECTIONS ARE A SUBSET OF OPEN-SEAT ELECTIONS, WITH BOTH TYPES OF CONTEST STRONGLY IMPACTED BY CANDIDATE AND CONSTITUENCY INFLUENCES. IT FINDS NO EVIDENCE OF A SUBSTANTIAL PRESIDENTIAL-APPROVED EFFECT IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS. THE ABSENCE OF SUCH A RELATIONSHIP UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF CANDIDATES AND CONSTITUENT PREFERENCES IN STRUCTURING ELECTIONS AND INDICATES THE INAPPROPRIATENESS OF DRAWING NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS FROM SPECIAL HOUSE CONTESTS.