Off-Year Election

Written By Jonathan Milner

Definition

An “off-year election” is one which takes place in a year when a presidential or midterm election does not also take place. It’s typically when many mayoral and local races are on the ballot. In addition, there are often a wide variety of citizen initiatives on the ballot. Most national elections in the United States take place in even-numbered years. Typically, voter turnout is far greater in years when there’s also a presidential election; off years generate much less interest among the public. It’s worth noting that lower turnout in off-year elections typically benefits well-organized groups that often make up local political machines. In recent years, around 60 percent of eligible voters make it to the polls in years when there’s a presidential election; in contrast, 40 percent of voters cast a ballot during midterm elections. Those figures are lower for odd-year and local elections when national get out the vote operations are not being run. In general, voter turn-out in the United States lags behind turnout in other highly developed democracies.

Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What is an off-year election?

  2. Do off-year elections take place in odd or even number years?

  3. What is the difference between an off-year election and a midterm election?

  4. What typically happens to voter turnout in off-year elections?

  5. Find a good image or emoji to represent off-year elections.

  6. Who are off-year elections generally good for?

  7. Why do we even have off-year elections and how does it relate to federalism?

  8. When is the next off-year election in the US?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw off-year election. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

Further Review

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Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
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