2004 United States House of Representatives elections National Committee Debbie Wasserman Schultz. As of 2018, this is the last election in which someone who was not from the Democratic or Republican party was elected to the House. This is also the most recent election in which Republicans made a net gain of seats in the House during a Presidential election year. On the same date were the 2004 Presidential election, the 2004 Senate election, and many state gubernatorial elections. There were three special elections held in 2004, all of them separate from the November elections. Key to party abbreviations: AI=American Independent, C=Constitution, D=Democratic, G=Green, I=Independent, IP=Independence Party,
Off-year election They may also feature a number of special elections to fill vacancies in various federal, state and local offices. Because such off-year elections feature far fewer races than either presidential or midterm elections, they generate far lower voter turnout than even-numbered election years. Regularly scheduled elections for the Senate and the House of Representatives are always held in even-numbered years. Elections for these offices are only held during odd-numbered years if accommodating a special election—usually either due to incumbents resigning or dying while in office. Special elections are never held for the U.S. President. If the President dies, resigns or