<Li> keeping the seat vacant until the next general election . This usually occurs if a vacancy arises shortly before a planned general election (within six months in New Zealand). </Li> <Li> nominating another candidate with the same affiliation as the former member--typically, in list systems, the next candidate on the party list . </Li> <P> For the Australian Senate (where each State forms a multi-seat constituency voting by single transferable vote), the State Parliament appoints a replacement; in 1977 a referendum amended the Constitution to require that the person appointed must belong to the same political party (if any) as the Senator originally elected to that seat . Those Australian states with an Upper House elected by PR - STV (NSW, Victoria and South Australia) copy the federal Senate model, except for Western Australia, which holds a recount of ballots, with sitting members retaining their seats . </P> <P> By - elections can be crucial when the ruling party has only a small majority . In parliamentary systems, party discipline is often so strong that the governing party can only lose a vote of no confidence after losing enough by - elections for it to become a minority government . Examples are the Labour government of James Callaghan 1976--1979 and the Conservative government of John Major 1992--1997 . In the United States Senate, Scott Brown's election in 2010 ended the filibuster - proof majority formerly enjoyed by Democrats . </P>

Do i have to vote in the bi election