A by-election is a vote to fill one empty seat, not a big election for the whole country. It happens when someone in the group that makes the laws leaves early — they die, they quit, or they take another job. Only that one place votes again; the other seats stay as they are.

A by-election is a vote by-election 是一場投票， to fill one empty seat用來補一個空出來的席位， not a big election for the whole country不是全國性的大選。 It happens when它發生的時機是 someone in the group that makes the laws立法機構裡有人 leaves early提早離開—— they die, they quit, or they take another job過世、辭職，或去做別的工作。 Only that one place只有那一個地方 votes again重新投票； the other seats其他席位 stay as they are維持原樣。

People in Britain and in countries that follow British politics say by-election; in the United States the usual name is special election. It sounds like news English, a little careful.

People in Britain英國人 and in countries that follow British politics和承襲英式政治的國家的人 say by-election說 by-election； in the United States在美國， the usual name is special election通常的名字是 special election。 It sounds like news English它聽起來像新聞英語， a little careful有點拘謹。

Papers watch by-elections closely, because they can show if the government is losing friends. Though actually it is a real election, not a practice run and not a small local poll with no meaning — it is just for one place, at an odd time.

Papers報紙 watch by-elections closely盯補選盯得很緊， because因為 they can show它能顯示 if the government is losing friends政府是不是正在失去人心。 Though actually不過說回來， it is a real election它是一場真的選舉， not a practice run不是演習， and not a small local poll with no meaning也不是無關緊要的小型地方民調—— it is just for one place它只是範圍限於一個地方、 at an odd time辦在非正常的時間點。