United States of America
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Presidential system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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No
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.
Background
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Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
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06 Nov 2016
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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No information available
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Upon normal expiry
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Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
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435
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Candidates
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Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
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2
Notes: Number of parties contesting the election: Only two parties, the Democrats and Republicans, fielded Congressional candidates in all 50 US states and the territories.
- The number of candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
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Yes
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Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
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Notes: 167 women won party primary.
- The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
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Yes
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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The Republicans retained the control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, albeit with a reduced majority. Mr. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, defeated Ms. Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party to become President of the United States (see note).
The presidential election campaign pushed congressional elections to the background. Mr. Trump, a wealthy businessman, pledged to "Make America Great Again". He promised to create more jobs, tighten US borders and renegotiate free trade deals. Ms. Clinton promised reforms that would give unauthorised immigrants a path to full citizenship. Mr. Trump also promised to "repeal and replace" Obamacare (the federal health insurance system introduced under the Obama Administration in 2010). Ms. Clinton praised Obamacare but promised to block unreasonable premium increases.
Note:
An American president is chosen by a group of electors known as the electoral college, which currently comprises 538 people. On election day, Americans cast votes for electors. In 2016, candidates needed to win 270 to be elected President. Mr. Trump won 306 electors against Ms. Clinton's 232, although Ms. Clinton won the popular vote.
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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2
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Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
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100.0%
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Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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55.4%
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Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
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Yes
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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1
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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Republican Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group | Total |
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Republican Party | 241 |
Democratic Party | 194 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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352
- Number of women elected
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83
Notes:
In addition, there are five women among the six non-voting members.
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
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19.1%
- Sources
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US Congressional Research Service Library of Congress (14.11.2016, 19.11.2016, 24.01.2017, 01.03.2017, 12.04.2017, 07.06.2017, 26.06.2017, 03.07.2017, 13.11.2017, 03.01.2018; 16.01.2018, 03.05.2018)
Office of the Clerk - House of Representatives
Federal Election Commission
Center for American Women and Politics
CNN
Financial Times
New legislature
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First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
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63
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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No information available
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Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
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03 Jan 2017
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Paul D. Ryan (Male)
Date of birth: 1970 -
Political party
The political party to which the Speaker belonged to at the moment of the election. In some parliaments, the Speaker suspends or relinquishes their party membership during their term in office and is considered as an independent member.
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Republican Party
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Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
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03 Jan 2017