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Fact check: Are there any future elections that have been cancelled in the US
1. Summary of the results
Based on the comprehensive analyses provided, no future elections have been cancelled in the United States. Multiple sources confirm this finding through different angles:
- Constitutional protections are robust: The Constitution requires the president's term to end on January 20 with no exceptions for national emergencies or presidential discretion [1]. The current legislation contains no provisions that would allow the president to cancel or delay elections [2].
- Upcoming elections remain scheduled: Sources document numerous upcoming elections across various states, including Texas elections for 2025 and 2026 [3], and various state elections listed in the national elections calendar [4]. Specific elections like the 2025 May 3rd Uniform Election and the 2025 November Special Election for Congressional District 18 remain on schedule [5].
- Limited authority for delays: Only states and Congress have the power to delay the election process, not the executive branch [6]. Even recent legislative proposals, such as Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," explicitly do not grant the president power to delay or cancel elections [7].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks important contextual information about the constitutional framework that makes election cancellation extremely difficult:
- Individual election cancellations do occur at local levels: One source notes that election dates "may have been scheduled but later cancelled due to a lack of candidates or other reasons" [4], indicating that while federal and major state elections remain protected, some local elections can be cancelled for practical reasons.
- Distinction between different types of elections: The analyses focus heavily on presidential elections, but the constitutional protections and scheduling mechanisms vary between federal, state, and local elections.
- Historical precedent: The sources don't provide historical context about whether elections have ever been cancelled or significantly delayed in U.S. history, which would help contextualize the current legal framework.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question itself appears neutral and factual rather than containing misinformation. However, the question may reflect underlying concerns about:
- Recent political rhetoric: The emphasis on fact-checking Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" in multiple sources [2] [7] suggests this question may stem from recent political claims about election manipulation or cancellation powers.
- Conflation of different election types: The broad phrasing "future elections" could inadvertently spread confusion by not distinguishing between the highly protected federal elections and more vulnerable local elections that can occasionally be cancelled for administrative reasons.
- Timing sensitivity: One source specifically addresses election night reporting practices, suggesting there may be ongoing debates about election procedures that could be misconstrued as election cancellation [8].
The question appears to be seeking legitimate information rather than promoting misinformation, making it a valuable inquiry for public understanding of electoral protections.