In staggered elections, not all places in an elected body are up for election at the same time. The staggered election keeps some continuity in the elected body.
For example United States Senators have a 6-year term but they are not all elected at the same time. Rather, every two years elections are held for one third of US Senate seats. Elections to the Senates of several other countries, and to regional bodies, are similarly staggered. In the United Kingdom, some councils have staggerred elections, with councillors serving 4-year terms.
Staggered elections should not be confused with rolling election.
Famous quotes containing the word elections:
“In my public statements I have earnestly urged that there rested upon government many responsibilities which affect the moral and spiritual welfare of our people. The participation of women in elections has produced a keener realization of the importance of these questions and has contributed to higher national ideals. Moreover, it is through them that our national ideals are ingrained in our children.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)