Runoff Elections: More Crucial Than We Realize
As Texas nears the conclusion of its runoff elections this year, it becomes clear that for many campaigns the real contest starts after the primary. Despite being pivotal in determining who ultimately serves in office, runoffs consistently draw the fewest voters.
I learned this lesson firsthand in 2018. After a grueling primary campaign for a congressional seat in Texas’ 5th District, our efforts led us to a Republican runoff. We had invested everything, with thousands rallying behind our vision and message. However, on Election Day, when turnout dropped dramatically, we fell short of victory.
The sting of that loss remains vivid. Many supporters who had been there during the primary simply did not return to vote. Some overlooked the date, while others mistakenly assumed that our strong showing in the primary guaranteed a win. In runoffs, every vote is critical; historically, turnout can decline by as much as 20 to 30 percent between the primary and the runoff, and that gap can easily swing an election.
The Decisive Nature of Runoffs
In a crowded primary field, votes are often split among several candidates. When the field narrows to just two contenders in a runoff, each vote carries far more weight. This mechanism forces a true majority decision, ensuring that the candidate who advances has achieved broad support.
Texas is among several states that require a candidate to secure a majority vote in the primary, thereby triggering a runoff if no one surpasses the 50-percent threshold. Similar procedures are in place in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Yet, in each of these states, runoff elections tend to be overlooked by many voters.
Historical Examples of Marginal Victories
The importance of every single vote has been proven time and again. In 2020, a runoff election in Georgia produced a victory by a margin of less than two percentage points, a result that altered the balance in the U.S. Senate. Closer to Texas home turf, several city and school board contests have been won by razor-thin margins. For example, in one congressional race the winner prevailed by just 45 votes, while a mayoral runoff in Fort Worth was decided by fewer than 7,000 votes in a city of almost one million residents.
A Call for Resolute Participation
The outcome of any election is shaped not merely by how we begin, but by how we finish. Today, many candidates are pulling out all the stops in these decisive runoff contests. They continue to campaign hard—knocking on doors, engaging with voters, and sacrificing personal time to serve their communities.
For those who believe in good governance and leadership that honors shared values, participating in these final stages is essential. Voting is a simple yet influential act of civic responsibility, one that embodies our commitment to our neighbors and to justice in our communities.
Reflecting on past experiences, I understand the bittersweet pain of coming up short. Yet that loss also underscored the power of persistence and the significance of each vote. Let us strive to see every election through to the end, voting with purpose and staying true to our civic responsibilities.
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