How a Runoff Works
Every runoff starts with the same question: did anyone reach the share of votes the state requires?
The first election. Several candidates run for the same office.
The count. Officials check whether the leader passed the state's threshold.
Did the leader pass the threshold?
Yes: the leader wins. There's no runoff.
No: the top two go to a runoff. Everyone else is out.
The runoff. Whoever gets more votes wins.
Here's an example with made-up numbers. Four candidates split 100 votes 40, 30, 20 and 10. In a majority state, 40 isn't more than half, so the top two, with 40 and 30, meet in a runoff. In North Carolina, 40 is more than 30%, so the leader would win outright.
What Share of the Vote Wins
Eight of the states need more than half the votes to win without a runoff. Two set a lower bar, and South Dakota uses its runoff only for three offices.
More than 30% North Carolina
At least 35% of the party's votes South Dakota
More than half Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas
Source: each state's election law, linked in Runoff Rules by State. Checked November 10, 2026.
When a Runoff Happens
The gap between the first election and the runoff ranges from two weeks in South Carolina to about twelve in Texas. Most states set a fixed number of weeks. Oklahoma and Texas set calendar days instead, so the gap shifts by a week from year to year.
South Carolina 2 weeks
Alabama 4 weeks
Arkansas 4 weeks
Georgia 4 weeks
Mississippi 4 weeks
Louisiana 6 weeks
South Dakota 8 weeks
Oklahoma 9 to 10 weeks
North Carolina 10 weeks
Texas 11 to 12 weeks
A line shows a gap that changes with the calendar. Oklahoma and Texas set the runoff on a named Tuesday, so the gap shifts by a week from year to year.
Source: each state's election law, linked in Runoff Rules by State. Checked November 10, 2026.
This year's dates are on each state's page.
Primary Runoffs and General Runoffs
Most runoffs happen in party primaries, where a party picks its nominee. A few states also hold them after the November election.
| Primary runoff | General election runoff | |
|---|---|---|
| What it decides | A party's nominee | Who takes office |
| Who's on the ballot | The top two from one party's primary | The top two from the November ballot |
| Where | 10 states, mostly in the South | Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi |
Runoffs Compared With Similar Systems
Some systems that sound alike work differently. This table explains how each one works; it doesn't rank them.
| System | How the winner is decided | Second election? |
|---|---|---|
| Runoff | If no one passes the threshold, the top two face off later | Yes, weeks later |
| Top-two primary | The top two in the primary advance to November, whatever their vote share | No separate runoff |
| Ranked choice voting | Voters rank candidates; counting happens in rounds on the same ballots | No |
Alabama uses both for some voters. Military and overseas voters get a ranked ballot in federal primaries with three or more candidates, other than for President.
Runoff Rules by State
Pick your state to jump to its rule, the law it comes from and the date we checked it.
We read the law in each of these 10 states. NCSL's 50-state list of runoff states names no others; we haven't yet checked every remaining state ourselves. NCSL, Primary Runoffs
Alabama
Primary runoffs only- Which elections
- Party primaries for any office with more than two candidates
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority of all of the votes cast in such primary election
(Ala. Code 17-13-18(b)) - When the runoff is
- The fourth Tuesday after the primary
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
- Also
- Military and overseas voters get a ranked ballot in federal primaries with three or more candidates, other than for President (17-13-8.1).
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Same party only
- Vote after skipping the first round Can Either party's runoff
- Register between rounds Can Until 15 days before the runoff
Sources: Code of Alabama 17-13-18 · Code of Alabama 17-13-3 · Alabama Secretary of State, 2026 Poll Worker Guide. Checked November 9, 2026.
Arkansas
Primary runoffs only- Which elections
- Party primaries when a race has three or more candidates, or to break a tie
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority of the votes cast for that office or position
(Ark. Code 7-7-304(f)) - When the runoff is
- The Tuesday four weeks after the preferential primary
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
- Also
- County and city offices can also go to a runoff four weeks after the November election (7-5-106). This guide counts statewide rules only.
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Barred by Ark. Code 7-1-103
- Vote after skipping the first round Can Either party's runoff
- Register between rounds Can't The runoff's deadline falls before the first primary
Sources: Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Laws of Arkansas, 2025 edition (7-7-203, 7-7-304) · Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners, Running for Public Office handbook · Arkansas Secretary of State, Voting 101 · Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners, 2026 Election Calendar. Checked November 10, 2026.
Georgia
Primary and general runoffs- Which elections
- All primaries, plus November general elections except for President
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority of the votes cast
(O.C.G.A. 21-2-501(a)(1)) - When the runoff is
- 28 days after the primary or general election
- After the November election
- Yes, for every office on the November ballot except presidential electors, four weeks later
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Same party's ballot only
- Vote after skipping the first round Can Any party's runoff
- Register between rounds Depends Federal races only: state and local races keep the first primary's deadline
Sources: Georgia SB 202 (2021), O.C.G.A. 21-2-501 · Georgia Secretary of State, Elections FAQ · Georgia Secretary of State, 2026 Elections Calendar · Georgia.gov, Vote in Runoff Elections. Checked November 9, 2026.
Louisiana
Primary and general runoffs- Which elections
- Closed party primaries for U.S. Senate, the state Supreme Court, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Public Service Commission. Most other offices use Louisiana's open primary, with every candidate on one ballot
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
the majority of votes in the party primary
(La. R.S. 18:410.7(A)) - When the runoff is
- A second party primary six Saturdays after the first
- After the November election
- Yes, in effect: in the open primary, a candidate with a majority wins outright; otherwise the top two meet in a general election six Saturdays later
- Also
- For fall 2026, U.S. House races used the open primary instead, under Act 7 of 2026, according to the Secretary of State.
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Voters with no party who pick one party's ballot stay with it
- Vote after skipping the first round Not confirmed yet
- Register between rounds Can The second primary has its own deadlines
Sources: La. R.S. 18:410.7 · La. R.S. 18:410.3 · La. R.S. 18:402 · La. R.S. 18:511 · Louisiana Secretary of State, Closed Party Primary Elections · Louisiana Secretary of State, 2026 Elections Calendar. Checked November 9, 2026.
Mississippi
Primary and general runoffs- Which elections
- Party primaries; in November, the eight statewide offices such as Governor
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority vote
(Miss. Code 23-15-191, as amended by SB 2144 (2024)) - When the runoff is
- Four weeks later (three weeks for city primaries)
- After the November election
- Yes, for Governor and the other statewide offices, four weeks later
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Per Attorney General opinions cited by the Secretary of State
- Vote after skipping the first round Can If you didn't vote in another party's primary
- Register between rounds Can't The runoff's deadline falls before the first primary
Sources: Mississippi SB 2144 (2024), Miss. Code 23-15-191 and 23-15-193 · Mississippi Constitution, Art. 5, Sec. 140 (Secretary of State) · Mississippi Attorney General opinion, Nov. 2, 2023 · Mississippi Secretary of State, Party Primary System presentation · Mississippi Secretary of State, update on primary runoff elections · Mississippi Secretary of State, 2026 Elections Calendar. Checked November 10, 2026.
North Carolina
Only on request or for some offices- Which elections
- Party primaries, only if the second-place candidate asks for one by noon on the ninth day after the primary
- To win without a runoff
- More than 30%. The law says:
Any excess of the sum so ascertained shall be a substantial plurality
(N.C.G.S. 163-111(a)(1)) - When the runoff is
- 10 weeks after the first primary
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't The second primary continues the first
- Vote after skipping the first round Can Unaffiliated voters can choose a party's ballot
- Register between rounds Can't Except people who become eligible in between
Sources: N.C.G.S. 163-111 · N.C.G.S. 163-119 · N.C. State Board of Elections, Numbered Memo 2024-02. Checked November 10, 2026.
Oklahoma
Primary runoffs only- Which elections
- Party primaries, which are closed to voters outside the party
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority of all votes cast for all candidates of such party for the office
(26 O.S. 1-103) - When the runoff is
- The fourth Tuesday of August; the primary is the third Tuesday in June
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Only the party's registered members can vote
- Vote after skipping the first round Can In your own party's runoff
- Register between rounds Can Until 25 days before the runoff
Sources: 26 O.S. 1-103 (OSCN) · 26 O.S. 1-102 (OSCN) · Oklahoma State Election Board, Primary and Runoff Primary Elections · Oklahoma State Election Board, Register to Vote. Checked November 10, 2026.
South Carolina
Primary runoffs only- Which elections
- Party primaries
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority of the votes cast
(S.C. Code 7-17-600) - When the runoff is
- Two weeks after the first primary
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Same party only
- Vote after skipping the first round Can Either party's runoff
- Register between rounds Can't Registration stays closed until after the runoff
Sources: S.C. Code Title 7, Chapter 13 (7-13-50) · S.C. Code Title 7, Chapter 17 (7-17-600) · S.C. Election Commission, FAQs for the 2026 Statewide Primaries and Runoffs · S.C. Code Title 7, Chapter 5 (7-5-150). Checked November 10, 2026.
South Dakota
Only on request or for some offices- Which elections
- Party primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and Governor, with three or more candidates
- To win without a runoff
- At least 35% of the party's votes. The law says:
thirty-five percent of the votes of the candidate's party
(SDCL 12-6-51.1) - When the runoff is
- Eight weeks after the first primary
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
- Also
- If two or more candidates tie for second, all of them go on the runoff ballot.
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't Only the party's registered members, unless the party opens its primary to voters with no party
- Vote after skipping the first round Not confirmed yet
- Register between rounds Can By 5 p.m. 15 days before the runoff
Sources: SDCL 12-6-51.1 · SDCL 12-6-26 · SDCL 12-4-5. Checked November 9, 2026.
Texas
Primary runoffs only- Which elections
- Party primaries
- To win without a runoff
- More than half. The law says:
a majority of the total number of votes received by all the candidates for the nomination
(Tex. Elec. Code 172.003) - When the runoff is
- The fourth Tuesday in May; the primary is the first Tuesday in March
- After the November election
- No statewide runoff
- Also
- Some local and special elections that require a majority also have runoffs.
Who can vote
- Switch to another party's runoff Can't A vote in a second party's primary or runoff is void
- Vote after skipping the first round Can Either party's runoff, unless you're affiliated with a third party
- Register between rounds Depends Only if it takes effect by runoff day: 30 days after you apply
Sources: Texas Election Code 172.003 · Texas Election Code 41.007 · Texas Election Code 162.013 · Texas Election Code 13.143 · Texas Secretary of State, news release, May 13, 2026. Checked November 9, 2026.
Other states and DC
NCSL lists no statewide primary or general election runoff in the other states and DC, and we haven't found one. Local races can still have runoffs. Your state's page links to its election office.
Who Can Vote in a Runoff
For a primary runoff, two things matter: which party's primary you voted in, and whether you voted at all.
If you voted in a party's primary, you stay with that party for the runoff. Every state here keeps you from crossing over to another party's runoff.
If you skipped the first round, you can still vote in a runoff in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas, if you're registered. In Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas you can choose either party's runoff.
| State | Switch to another party's runoff | Vote after skipping the first round | Register between rounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Can't Same party only | Can Either party's runoff | Can Until 15 days before the runoff |
| Arkansas | Can't Barred by Ark. Code 7-1-103 | Can Either party's runoff | Can't The runoff's deadline falls before the first primary |
| Georgia | Can't Same party's ballot only | Can Any party's runoff | Depends Federal races only: state and local races keep the first primary's deadline |
| Louisiana | Can't Voters with no party who pick one party's ballot stay with it | Not confirmed yet | Can The second primary has its own deadlines |
| Mississippi | Can't Per Attorney General opinions cited by the Secretary of State | Can If you didn't vote in another party's primary | Can't The runoff's deadline falls before the first primary |
| North Carolina | Can't The second primary continues the first | Can Unaffiliated voters can choose a party's ballot | Can't Except people who become eligible in between |
| Oklahoma | Can't Only the party's registered members can vote | Can In your own party's runoff | Can Until 25 days before the runoff |
| South Carolina | Can't Same party only | Can Either party's runoff | Can't Registration stays closed until after the runoff |
| South Dakota | Can't Only the party's registered members, unless the party opens its primary to voters with no party | Not confirmed yet | Can By 5 p.m. 15 days before the runoff |
| Texas | Can't A vote in a second party's primary or runoff is void | Can Either party's runoff, unless you're affiliated with a third party | Depends Only if it takes effect by runoff day: 30 days after you apply |
“Not confirmed yet” means we haven't read the rule on an official page. It doesn't mean no. Source: each state's election law, linked in Runoff Rules by State. Checked November 10, 2026.
If you're unsure, check with your county election office. Your state's page links to it.
Questions People Ask
When does a runoff election happen?
Between two and twelve weeks after the first election. South Carolina's comes two weeks later. Texas holds its primary runoff on the fourth Tuesday in May, about 12 weeks after the March primary. Your state's page has this year's date.
What causes a runoff election?
No candidate reaching the state's threshold, usually because three or more candidates split the vote.
Is a runoff automatic?
In most of these states, yes: if no one passes the threshold, the runoff happens. In North Carolina it happens only if the second-place candidate asks for it.
Can I vote in a runoff if I didn't vote the first time?
Yes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas, if you're registered. If you did vote, you stay with the party whose primary you chose.
Can I switch parties for a primary runoff?
No. In every state here, a voter who took one party's primary ballot can't vote in another party's runoff.
Is a runoff the same as a recount?
No. A recount counts the same ballots again. A runoff is a new election with a new ballot.
What This Guide Doesn't Cover
- Runoffs for city, county and school board races, which follow local rules
- Special elections, which can have their own runoff rules
- Arguments for and against runoffs
For your election, your state or local election office has the final word.
Make Your Sticker
Voting in a runoff? Make a sticker for your state and remind your friends there's one more election.