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An election surprise (also a pre-election surprise, or, in the U.S., October surprise, where elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November) is an event which occurs preceding an election which has enough shock value that it may be able to sway voters in close elections. When planned, an election surprise may be an act of propaganda. Election surprises typically fall into categories such as terrorism, political scandals, etc.
There may be disagreement as to what constitutes an election surprise for several reasons:
There may be general disagreement as to whether the event in question affected, or was intended to affect the outcome of the election, especially as the event and the election may occur in different countries.
There may be a lack of consensus as to which party the election surprise may have helped, or was intended to help.
The relative weight of a declaration, and the ability to catch on, help to distinguish true election surprises from minor events.
What was a surprise for some of the population may have been obvious for another part (such as the total deaths accumulated in a military activity).
The role a speech act, such as an expression of opinion/research could play. The documentary Hacking Democracy may not constitute an election surprise, whereas a statement issued by Osama bin Laden might.
Rumours of potential election surprises may also abound preceding an election.
The term "election surprise" may also be used to denote an election with a surprising outcome.
An electionsurprise (also a pre-electionsurprise, or, in the U.S., October surprise, where elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday...
the United States, an October surprise is a news event that may influence the outcome of an upcoming November election (particularly one for the presidency)...
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Goldbaum, Christina; ur-Rehman, Zia (9 February 2024). "Pakistan ElectionSurprise: Imran Khan's Party Puts Up a Fight". The New York Times. Archived...
elections". The Daily Californian. Retrieved 12 May 2017. Copley, Caroline (20 September 2009). "Germany's 'Pirate Party' hopes for electionsurprise"...
party overall, albeit 11 seats short of an absolute majority. The electionsurprise was the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) of Felipe González...
Amarnath K. (31 March 1985). "Andhra Pradesh assembly elections: Telugu Desam's victory comes as no surprise". India Today. Retrieved 22 September 2022....
first Conservative victory in a general election since 1841. Gladstone's decision to call an electionsurprised his colleagues, for they were aware of...
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defeat in electionsurprise voters in Sindh". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-02-29. "GDA intensifies protest against 'rigged' general elections". The Express...
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December 9, 2009. Lambert, David (2004-10-25). "Family Guy – Pre-ElectionSurprise! Osama bin Laden found...on new Family Guy DVD, that is!". TV Shows...
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