respective states, while writs for the election of territory senators are issued by the governor-general. State governors also issue the writs for elections in the state legislatures The writs are issued to the relevant electoral officer or returning officer, as the case may be, who returns them after the election has been held within a fixed period. New Zealand In New Zealand, the Electoral Act 1993 mandates that, following the dissolution of Parliament, the governor-general signs only a single writ instructing the Electoral Commission to hold a general election. After the general election has been held, a single writ is returned to the clerk of the House of Representatives with the names of all successful candidates who have been elected to electorate seats. A writ will also be issued when a by-election is held. United States In the United States, this writ is issued mainly by state governors for filling vacancies in the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, or the states' own legislatures. References Elections Election Constitutional law