Number of uncontested House races nearly triples

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A growing number of voters won’t have much choice on Election Day when it comes to voting for members of Congress.

The number of uncontested House races has nearly tripled from the past two elections, to 32 districts. An additional 45 districts have candidates from only one major party. California has seven of those races, Louisiana has two and Washington state has one.

The uncontested races are split evenly among the political parties, at 16 apiece.

Among the races with candidates from only one major party: 26 have Democratic candidates but no Republicans; 19 have Republican candidates but no Democrats.

A look at House races that won’t offer much suspense on Election Day:

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Uncontested House races:

2014: 32

2012: 13

2010: 12

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House races with candidates from just one major political party:

2014: 45

2012: 19

2010: 17

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States with the most uncontested House races:

Massachusetts: Six of the state’s nine House races are uncontested. All the districts are represented by Democrats.

Georgia: Half of the state’s 14 House races are uncontested. Four districts are represented by Republicans; three are represented by Democrats.

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Other states that lack competition:

New York has three uncontested House races and seven others that have only one major-party candidate.

Texas has one uncontested race and 12 others that have only one major-party candidate

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Follow Stephen Ohlemacher on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenatap

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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