A landslide election is when one candidate wins by a large margin, with definitions varying from 5 to 15 points. They are rare and often reflect frustration with the current government. Politicians like them for the momentum they provide and the elimination of uncertainty.
A landslide election is an election in which one candidate wins by a substantial margin. The precise definition of a landslide varies, with some people saying the edge should consist of five points or more, setting the bar relatively low, while others saying the edge should be much higher, closer to 10 or 15 points. If a candidate wins a landslide victory, he suggests a strong mandate from the people.
A notable landslide election occurred in France in 2002 when Jacques Chirac won an astonishing 82% of the vote. The 1972 US election between Richard Nixon and George McGovern also ended in a landslide victory for Nixon, who took nearly 61% of the popular vote and 520 electoral votes out of a possible 538. McGovern managed to get 37% of the popular vote, and 17 electoral votes, with a Libertarian candidate garnering the remaining electoral vote. Franklin D. Roosevelt scored a similar landslide victory in 1936 when racing against Alf Landon.
Landslide victories are rare, especially in large countries. The electorate is often deeply divided, making it difficult for candidates to win votes from citizens who belong to opposing parties. Usually, landslide elections occur when citizens of a country are frustrated with the way the government has been handled and select a candidate from an opposition party in hopes of improving their situation. While it helps if a candidate is charismatic, a landslide often reflects support for a particular political party, rather than support for an individual candidate.
There are a number of reasons why politicians and political parties like to see landslide elections. First, candidates usually win a landslide to suggest they have large popular support. Political parties backing the candidates also hope to use the momentum of the landslide to carry out a variety of tasks that require the support of citizens. In years when a head of state is elected by a landslide, political parties also hope that voters will elect people from the head of state’s political party in the legislature, giving the political party more power.
Since a landslide election also represents an outright victory, it can eliminate uncertainty. In nations where elections are often contested, with the results fought over by feuding parties, an avalanche settles the issue on Election Day. This allows candidates to prepare to take their positions in government and eases unrest and concern among citizens, as uncertainty about an election can hurt the economy and cause general chaos until the matter is resolved .
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