Writ of election

A writ of election is a writ issued by the government ordering the holding of a special election for a governmental office. In the United Kingdom, this is the only way of holding an election for parliament, and this writ is issued whenever the government wants to or is required to dissolve parliament. In the United States, this writ is issued mainly by state governors for filling vacancies in the United States House of Representatives or the states' own legislatures.