By Bunni Pounds

When do primary runoffs happen?

When one candidate fails to reach 50% plus one in votes.

Did you know that only 10 states have primary runoffs? 

They are mostly in the south where one party has dominated the statewide offices for years. In Texas that historically was the Democratic party but in the last few decades., it has been the Republicans.

Did you know what the typical drop off rate is from the primary to the runoff?

20-30% fewer people are found to turn up for a runoff election, so each vote matters even more. 

Did you know that another race within a district could have a huge effect on another race during a runoff?

An example of this would be a District Attorney race taking place in county “A”, while a State Representative race is also ongoing in counties “A, B, C, & D” , all while a Congressional race is occurring in counties “A, B, C, D, E, F, G, & H” Sometimes it is the “lesser” races that have a major impact on the outcomes of other races. 

Who can vote in a Primary runoff ?

In Texas, anyone who has NOT voted in the other political parties’ primary election. For example if you voted in the Democratic primary, you cannot vote in the Republican runoff. 

Most marketing from the candidates is geared toward the people who voted in the party primary previously BUT anyone can vote in the runoff IF they DID NOT vote in the other party’s primary. 

Check with your respective state’s elections department to verify the rules of your primary elections.

Would you like voting reminders? Sign up for our FREE VOTING REMINDER TEXTS