What Is a Runoff Primary?
- States that hold runoffs decide what vote percentage--typically 40 or 50 percent--constitutes a victory. If no primary candidate meets the percentage threshold, a runoff will be held. Runoffs are rare in general elections, as only two viable contenders are usually on the ballot.
- Only eight states hold runoff elections. Most states do not hold runoffs, due to the expense of organizing a second election and the traditionally low voter turnout.
- Instant runoff voting is a proposed runoff alternative, in which voters would rank candidates in order of preference rather than voting for a single candidate. Each vote for an eliminated candidate would be added to the voter's second choice, and the candidate with the most votes would receive the party's nomination.
