Elections · Chapter 07
What is a runoff election?
A runoff election is a follow-up vote between the top finishers in a race when no candidate received the required share of votes the first time.
Plain English
What it actually means
Some states and offices require a candidate to get more than 50% of the vote to win. If no one clears that threshold on Election Day, the top two finishers go to a runoff a few weeks later, and the winner of the runoff takes the seat.
Runoffs are most common in primary elections, but they also appear in some general elections and in many municipal races.
Why this matters when voting
Runoff turnout is usually much lower than the original election. If you vote in the runoff, your ballot carries more weight than it does in a higher-turnout election.
Sources
Where this information comes from
Last updated May 10, 2026. Civic Basics chapters cite official .gov sources where possible and are reviewed for neutrality.
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What is a nonpartisan race?