States using runoffs for statewide or federal office
The following states use runoffs for statewide or federal offices.State | Notes |
Alabama | 50% threshold in primaries |
Arkansas | 50% threshold in primaries |
Georgia | 50% threshold in primaries and 50% threshold for general elections for certain statewide offices |
Louisiana | 50% threshold in federal primaries and conditional runoff with 50% threshold in "cajun primary" system for state elections like governor |
Mississippi | 50% threshold in primaries. Gubernatorial candidates must surpass 50% in general elections or the legislature selects the winners. |
North Carolina | 40% threshold in primaries |
Oklahoma | 50% threshold in primaries |
South Carolina | 50% threshold in primaries |
South Dakota | 35% threshold for primaries for federal office and governor |
Texas | 50% threshold in primaries |
Vermont | No federal runoffs, but candidates for governor and certain other statewide offices must surpass 50% to avoid legislature electing winner. |
Washington | State and federal system where two candidates advance from primary to general election. |
Recently abandoned | |
Florida | Before 2006 elections eliminated primary runoff law after suspending it before 2002 and 2004 elections |
Kentucky | In 2008 repealed runoff with 40% threshold that was for governor only, not for federal office |