A candidate who is currently serving in an office they were appointed to, and they are a candidate for election to the same office.
What is appointed incumbent?
The term Appointed Incumbent refers to a person currently holding an office by appointment rather than by election, and therefore serving as the incumbent officeholder until the term or appointment changes. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
What does appointed incumbent mean in government?
In election administration, Appointed Incumbent is applied according to its defined purpose: a person currently holding an office by appointment rather than by election. Officials then use the relevant eligibility, filing, ballot, timing, notice, or procedural rules for that election. The exact process can differ by office, election type, and jurisdiction.
How is appointed incumbent connected to elections?
In election administration, Appointed Incumbent is applied according to its defined purpose: a person currently holding an office by appointment rather than by election. Officials then use the relevant eligibility, filing, ballot, timing, notice, or procedural rules for that election. The exact process can differ by office, election type, and jurisdiction.
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A candidate who is currently serving in an office they were appointed to, and they are a candidate for election to the same office.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Appointed Incumbent. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 20, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/appointed-incumbent
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