Upcoming US Elections in 2025: An Overview of Primary and General Contests

In the United States, while most primary and general elections typically occur in even-numbered years, there are several notable contests set to take place in 2025. This article outlines the key races scheduled throughout the year, which are expected to draw significant attention.

Starting with January, on the 7th, Virginia will conduct a special general election to fill two legislative positions: one in the state Senate and another in the state House of Delegates. The vacancies arose when the previous holders won congressional seats, making these elections particularly significant for national Democratic interests.

Moving to February, on the 18th, Wisconsin will be holding primary elections for a seat on the state Supreme Court as well as the position of state Superintendent of Public Instruction. These elections are crucial in determining who will guide the state’s policy-making in education and judiciary matters.

In April, on the 1st, Florida is set to conduct two special elections to fill vacant U.S. House seats. The 1st District, known as a strong Republican stronghold, became available after former Representative Matt Gaetz resigned. Gaetz briefly held the nomination for attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump but later decided against the position. Additionally, the 6th District was left open when former Representative Mike Waltz accepted an appointment as Trump’s national security adviser.

Also scheduled for April 1, Wisconsin will hold general elections for both the state Supreme Court and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, continuing the important civic engagements happening in the state early in the year.

As May approaches, on the 20th, Pennsylvania will conduct its primary elections for the state Supreme Court, the Superior Court, and also for mayoral races in Pittsburgh, along with municipal elections in Philadelphia. These contests will shape the political landscape in Pennsylvania as various candidates vie for key positions.

In June, multiple elections are lined up. New Jersey will hold its primary elections on the 10th for gubernatorial and legislative seats. This date was moved by Governor Phil Murphy to avoid coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which occurs on June 3. Following this, on June 17, Virginia will have primaries for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and members of the House of Delegates. New York City will also join the action on June 24 with primaries for the mayoral race and other municipal offices.

Finally, general elections will take place on November 4 in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where earlier primaries were held. These elections will be pivotal in shaping the political landscape heading into the following election cycle.

Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be an important year for various local and state elections across the United States, affecting local governance and legislative agendas for the years to come.