runoffvoting

Runoff voting refers to electoral methods designed to ensure that elected representatives have broad support by requiring a majority vote. In a runoff system, if no candidate achieves a required threshold—typically a simple majority—in the first round of voting, a second round is held between the leading candidates. The second round narrows the field to a winner who has majority backing. Rules about how many candidates advance and when the runoff occurs can vary by country and jurisdiction.

Two main variants are commonly described as runoff voting. The two-round system (also called a runoff election) uses a separate election after an initial round, usually between the top two finishers, to produce a majority winner. Instant-runoff voting (IRV), a form of ranked-choice voting, uses a single ballot in which voters rank candidates. If no candidate has a majority on the first count, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their votes transferred according to voters’ next preferences, repeating until a candidate achieves a majority.

Across jurisdictions, runoff voting is used to reduce the likelihood of plurality outcomes and to allow voters to express secondary preferences. Pros include greater legitimacy for the winner and reduced vote-splitting; cons include higher costs, potential low turnout in the runoff, and strategic considerations about how to allocate support between rounds. IRV also aims to address some of these issues while keeping one election process.

France employs a two-round system for presidential elections, while Australia and several other countries use forms of preferential or ranked-choice voting that operate similarly to IRV. The choice of runoff method reflects constitutional rules, electoral culture, and practical considerations.