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FDLP Resource Guides

Elections and Voting Rights

Overview

Congressional elections occur every two years for all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and every six years for each class of Senators (a rotating one-third of senatorial seats are up for elections every two years). Check out past and current election trends, and learn about the current members of Congress.

Opening session, 60th Congress, Speaker Cannon taking oath of office

Photograph of the opening session of the 60th Congress as Speaker Cannon takes the oath of office in 1907 (Retrieved from Library of Congress)

Representation of U.S. Territories

Currently, five delegates represent American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, and one resident commissioner represents Puerto Rico. They have the "same powers as other members of the House, except that they may not vote when the House is meeting as the House of Representatives."¹

¹House.gov

Congressional Election Information

Learn more about congressional election information, which includes U.S. Government resources on past congressional election statistics, recent American electorate voting trends, and current members of Congress.

Screenshot of "Congressional, State, and Local Elections" website

USA.gov 

Congressional, State, and Local Elections

  • For an overview about the different types of elections, visit this online resource. Learn more about upcoming elections happening on the local, state, and congressional levels.
Screenshot of "Who Votes? Congressional Elections and the American Electorate: 1978-2014" report

U.S. Census Bureau 

Who Votes? Congressional Elections and the American Electorate: 1978–2014

  • This publication by the U.S. Census Bureau provides detailed information on presidential and congressional elections of voting-age citizens from its Voting and Registration Supplement to the Current Population Survey, which the Census Bureau fields every two years. 
Screenshot of "Constitutional Qualifications" website

U.S. House of Representatives 

  • Constitutional Qualifications
    • This website discusses the qualifications for a person to campaign for a congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. 
  • Directory of Representatives
    • Look up a current U.S. House of Representative by state and district or by last name. The directory links to each Representative's homepage.
  • Election Statistics: 1920 to Present
    • View the official vote counts for Federal elections since 1920. Information includes voting tabulations for each district of every state each state and territory. 
Screenshot of "Contacting U.S. Senators" website

U.S. Senate 

  • Contacting U.S. Senators
    • Find a senator of the current U.S. Congress by state, name of senator, or senatorial class. This resource also includes a timeline of each state and its senators.
  • Qualifications & Terms of Service
    • Learn about the qualifications and terms of service for a U.S. Senator.

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