<P> Louisiana is unique in that it holds an all - party "primary election" on the general Election Day with a subsequent runoff election between the top two finishers (regardless of party) if no candidate received a majority in the primary . The states of Washington and California now use a similar (though not identical) system to that used by Louisiana . Seats vacated during a term are filled through special elections, unless the vacancy occurs closer to the next general election date than a pre-established deadline . The term of a member chosen in a special election usually begins the next day, or as soon as the results are certified . </P> <P> Additionally, Washington D.C. and the five inhabited U.S. territories each elect a non-voting delegate . With the exception of the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, each representative and delegate serves for a two - year term . They have a voice on the floor, but cannot vote there . </P> <P> Representatives and Delegates serve for two - year terms, while the Resident Commissioner serves for four years . The Constitution permits the House to expel a member with a two - thirds vote . In the history of the United States, only five members have been expelled from the House; in 1861, three were removed for supporting the Confederate states' secession: John Bullock Clark (D - MO), John William Reid (D - MO) and Henry Cornelius Burnett (D - KY). Michael Myers (D - PA) was expelled after his criminal conviction for accepting bribes in 1980, and James Traficant (D - OH) was expelled in 2002 following his conviction for corruption . The House also has the power to formally censure or reprimand its members; censure or reprimand of a member requires only a simple majority, and does not remove that member from office . </P> <P> As a check on the regional, popular, and rapidly changing politics of the House, the Senate has several distinct powers . For example, the "advice and consent" powers (such as the power to approve treaties) are a sole Senate privilege . The House, however, has the exclusive power to initiate bills for raising revenue, to impeach officials, and to choose the President in the event that a presidential candidate fails to get a majority of the Electoral College votes . The Senate and House are further differentiated by term lengths and the number of districts represented: the Senate has longer terms of six years, fewer members (currently one hundred, two for each state), and (in all but seven delegations) larger constituencies per member . The Senate is informally referred to as the "upper" house, and the House of Representatives as the "lower" house . </P>

What is the length of term for a representative