How to Vote in a Runoff Election

A runoff election is a second-round contest held when no candidate in the first round wins enough votes to take the seat outright. If you are registered to vote in a state that uses runoffs, you take part by casting a ballot in that second round, which is usually held between two and eight weeks after the first election. The exact rules depend on your state, so the details below explain how the process works and where to confirm what applies to you.

• A voter registration in your state, or the ability to register, since each state and territory sets its own registration rules and deadlines.
• Access to your state or territory's election website, which you can reach through vote.gov, to register, update your details, or check your status.
• Your state's registration deadline, which can be as early as 30 days before Election Day.
• Your party affiliation on file, if you are voting in a party primary runoff in a state with closed primaries.

1. Go to vote.gov and select your state or territory to register to vote, update your name, address, or political party, or check your registration status. Most states offer online registration, and you can also register by mail using the National Mail Voter Registration Form, or in person at your state or local election office or your state motor vehicles office.
2. Submit any registration or update before your state's deadline, which can be as early as 30 days before Election Day. If you have moved out of state, register with the state you moved to.
3. Confirm whether a runoff is being held in your state and which contest it covers. Nine states schedule runoffs for congressional primaries: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas. Georgia and Louisiana also hold runoffs after general elections when no candidate reaches 50%.
4. Check the threshold that triggers a runoff in your state. Most states use 50% plus one vote. North Carolina uses 30% and only holds a runoff if the second-place candidate requests it. South Dakota requires one if no candidate wins more than 35% in a race with three or more candidates.
5. Vote in the runoff. If you are in a state that uses ranked-choice voting instead, such as Alaska or Maine for statewide races, you rank candidates by preference on your ballot rather than returning for a second round.

Runoff elections generally draw lower turnout than general elections. In Georgia, about 57.0% of voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterm general election, compared with 50.5% in the runoff four weeks later. In 2020, nearly 5 million Georgians voted in the general election, compared with 4.5 million in the runoff.

Runoff timing varies. Most states set pre-set dates, usually two to eight weeks after the initial election. Georgia holds its runoffs 28 days after the original election. Alabama holds its runoff on the fourth Tuesday after the primary. Arkansas holds its runoff about three weeks later. Louisiana holds its runoff on the fifth Saturday after the third-to-last Saturday in October.

Which elections trigger a runoff varies by state. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas use the standard majority primary runoff. Georgia applies the 50% plus one requirement to both primaries and general elections for all state legislative and statewide races. Louisiana uses a single ballot where all candidates from all parties compete, with the top two advancing to a December general election if no one clears 50%. Mississippi added a statewide general election runoff in 2024. North Carolina's runoff is optional and rarely triggered. Oklahoma excludes special elections from its runoff statute by law.

Registration rules are set by each state and territory, and there is no national voter registration deadline. If your registration is marked inactive because you did not vote in at least two federal elections and did not respond when election officials tried to reach you, your state or local election office can help you move it back to active.

If you moved out of state and missed your new state's registration deadline before a presidential general election, your old state must allow you to vote, either by mail or in person. In non-presidential elections, your state may allow you to vote.

Which states hold runoff elections? Nine states schedule runoffs for congressional primaries: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas. Georgia and Louisiana also hold general election runoffs, and Mississippi holds one for statewide offices.

What threshold triggers a runoff? The threshold is almost always 50% plus one vote. North Carolina uses 30%, and South Dakota requires a runoff if no candidate wins more than 35% in a race with three or more candidates.

How soon after the first election is a runoff held? Most states hold runoffs two to eight weeks after the initial election. Georgia holds its runoffs 28 days after the original election, and Louisiana holds its runoff on the fifth Saturday after the third-to-last Saturday in October.

Does ranked-choice voting involve a runoff? Ranked-choice voting shares the principle that a candidate cannot win without majority support, but it does not involve voters recasting ballots and does not require states to host additional elections. It is used in Alaska and Maine for statewide races, in Hawaii for special federal and county elections, and in some counties and cities.

Do runoffs have lower turnout? Yes. Runoff elections generally receive lower voter turnout than general elections. In Georgia in 2022, about 57.0% of voters cast ballots in the general election, compared with 50.5% in the runoff four weeks later.