reelect

Reelect is the act of electing someone to a position again, either after the person has completed a term or while seeking to extend their tenure. In political contexts, reelection can refer to an incumbent seeking another term or a candidate attempting to win election after a previous tenure. The possibility and practicality of reelection depend on constitutional or statutory term limits, electoral rules, and party dynamics.

Term limits restrict how many terms a person may serve in a given office. For example, in the United States, the president is limited to two terms by the 22nd Amendment. In other countries, limits vary, while some jurisdictions permit unlimited reelection. In parliamentary systems, reelection usually occurs in periodic general elections, and the continuity of leadership can depend on party support and parliamentary confidence.

Reelection is often associated with an incumbency advantage, including greater name recognition, established campaign infrastructure, and access to donor networks. Critics may highlight concerns about entrenched power, reduced political competition, or voter fatigue. Electoral outcomes depend on a combination of incumbency, policy performance, campaign quality, and broader political trends.

Outside politics, reelection is also used in corporate governance to describe renewing the mandate of board members or executives through shareholder votes at annual meetings or special meetings. In both political and organizational contexts, reelection reflects the balance between continuity and accountability, opportunity for renewal, and the preferences of constituents or shareholders.