Lame duck (politics)

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A lame duck is an elected official who has lost a reelection, but continues to hold office until the successor's inauguration. Whether such officials should refrain from using some or all of their powers is somewhat controversial.

The term is also used more generally to include elected officials who have chosen not to run for re-election, or who are ineligible for re-election for some reason (such as term limits).

The term originated in the 1700s regarding stockbrokers who could not meet their debts. It was transferred to politicians in the 1860s.

A lame duck session is a formal meeting of old members of an organization after an election of new members, but before their new terms have started.

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