The incumbent is the current holder of an office or position, usually in relation to an election. In an election, the incumbent is said to be the person holding or acting in the position that is up for election, whether if the said officeholder is seeking re-election or not. In some situations, there may not be an incumbent at time of an election for that office or position, usually after the incumbent dies, retires, resigns, does not seek re-election, is barred from re-election due to term limits, or a new electoral division or position is created, at which point the office or position is regarded as vacant or open. In the United States, an election without an incumbent on the ballot is often referred to as an open seat or open contest.