States Using Runoff Elections

Runoffs for General Elections

Georgia and Louisiana need Runoff Elections, when No Candidate obtains a Majority of the Vote, 50%+ in a General Election. In every other State, a Candidate who takes home the Most of the Vote, Wins.

Runoffs for Primary Elections

Elevin States require a Candidate to Win a Primary with a Majority of the Vote, 50%+:

Alabama: A Runoff is required if No Candidate gets a Majority of the Vote, 50%+. The Top Two Candidates go to the Runoff. Runoff Elections are held on Tuesday of the Ninth week after the Primary. Runoff Municipal Elections and Runoff Special Primary Elections, are held Four weeks after the regular Election. For its Uniform and Overseas Absentee Voters only, Alabama uses Instant Runoff Voting, also known as Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV).

Arkansas: A Runoff between the Two Top Candidates is required, if No Candidate gets a Majority, 50%+, in the Primary. Runoff Elections are normally held Three weeks after the Primary.

Georgia: If No Candidate gets a Majority, 50%+, of the Votes cast, a Runoff between the Top Two Candidates is required. Runoff Elections are held Nine weeks after the Primary.

Mississippi: A Runoff is required between the Top Two Candidates, unless One Candidate gets a Majority, 50%+. Runoff Elections are normally held Three Weeks after the Primary. In 2020, Mississippi Voters Passed Measure 2, which established Runoffs for Governor and other Statewide Offices, in addition to those already held for Legislative Offices.

North Carolina: A Runoff, they call a Second Primary, is Not required if a Candidate gets a "substantial" Plurality, which is defined as 30% of the Vote plus One. A Runoff is Not required in any Case unless the Second-Highest Vote-Getter calls for a Runoff. Runoff Elections are normally held Seven weeks after the Primary.

Oklahoma: Provisions are the same as in most other States, a Majority, 50%+, is required to Preclude a Runoff, otherwise the Two Top Candidates go to the Runoff. Runoff Elections are held in August.

South Carolina: The Primaries are the responsibility of the Political Parties, but they operate the same way that most States do: a Majority, 50%+, precludes a Runoff. RunoffEelections are normally held Two weeks after the Primary.

South Dakota: A Runoff is held only for the Offices of U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, or Governor. This is called a “Secondary” Election. If, in a Primary race involving Three or more Candidates, No Candidate receives 35% of the Vote, the Two Candidates receiving the Highest number of Votes move to a “secondary” Election, Ten weeks after the First Primary Election.

Texas: It is the same as in many other States. Getting a Majority, 50%+, Precludes a Runoff. Otherwise, the Two Top Vote-Getters go to a Runoff. Runoff Elections are normally held Six weeks after the Primary.

Vermont: Vermont conducts a Runoff, only in the event of a Tie in the Primary.

Louisiana: Conducts Local and State Elections on Saturdays using what is referred to as an Open Primary system, where any Qualified Elector may qualify as a Candidate, regardless of Party, and run for Office and All Eligible Voters may cast a Vote in the Election, regardless of Party Affiliation. Some call this System a Jungle Primary because All Candidates for an Office run together in One Election and the Majority, 50%+, Vote Wins. If there is No Majority Vote Winner in the Primary Election, then the Top Two Candidates go to a Runoff Election called a General Election. This type of system is used in Louisiana for All Office: State, Parish, Municipal and Congressional, but it is Not used for the Presidential Preference Primary.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker