naked re-electnoun.
A polling question in which respondents are asked whether an incumbent politician deserves to be re-elected.
Example Citation:
"Since it is now unclear where the district's constituents will be, Jones asked all Utahns if Matheson has done a good enough job to be re-elected next year, or should someone else new get a chance to serve. Such a question is known as a 'naked re-elect' in political jargon because there is no opponent listed opposite Matheson."
—"Poll Finds Matheson In Good Shape, Cook Has Some Work To," The Bulletin's Frontrunner, August 2, 2001
Earliest Citation:
"Pollster Dan Jones noted that nationwide, Senators average a 42% 'naked re-elect' rating these days."
—"Hatch said to be 'in good shape," The Hotline, July 16, 1993
Notes:
As the above citation mentions, the "naked" part of a naked re-elect comes from the fact that the question doesn't mention a specific opponent. Instead, the question simply asks if a particular politician deserves to be re-elected or if someone else should be given a chance to serve.
