In 1981, five special elections were held to fill vacancies to the 97th United States Congress.

Two gubernatorial elections were held in 1981 in New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Virginia and both states flipped parties.

Note: Candidates' vote percentages are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent.

Elections took place in the New Jersey Senate and Virginia House of Delegates.

[2] In Virginia, Democrats maintained control of the House of Delegates but lost 8 seats.