Snap election

Rare card · No. 38548

A snap election is an election that is called earlier than the one that has been scheduled. Snap elections in parliamentary systems are often called to resolve a political impasse such as a hung parliament where no single political party has a majority of seats, when the incumbent prime minister is defeated in a motion of no confidence, to capitalize on an unusual electoral opportunity, or to decide a pressing issue. Snap elections are called under circumstances when an election is not required by law or convention. A snap election differs from a recall election and by-election in that a completely new parliament is chosen as opposed to merely re-electing individual seats in an already established assembly. Early elections can be called in certain jurisdictions after a ruling coalition is dissolved if a replacement coalition cannot be formed within a constitutionally set time limit. In some countries a referendum can result in a snap election. Public support for snap elections varies with...

Read on Wikipedia