runoff Election guide
how Georgia runoffs work, who can participate, and what you need to check before June 16
How Runoffs Work
in Georgia
Most people know what a general election is. Fewer know what a runoff is or why it matters. Here is everything you need to understand the June 16 runoff. No political background required.
Use this page as a simple explainer for your employees, members, congregation, neighbors, or network. Everything here is designed to help people understand the runoff without telling them how to vote.
Georgia Matters is nonpartisan. We do not support or oppose any candidate, party, or political position. Our goal is to help Georgians understand the runoff, find official voting information, and participate with confidence.
Georgia’s 2026 election process
Georgia elections can happen in stages. The primary narrows the field. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates move to a runoff. The runoff decides who moves forward to the November ballot.
Multiple candidates may compete within each party. To win a primary outright, a candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two move to a runoff.
The top two candidates from the May primary appear on the runoff ballot. The candidate who receives the most votes in the runoff wins the party’s nomination and moves forward to November.
Coming UpThe runoff winners from each party move on to the general election. In some districts, the primary winner may be strongly positioned for November, which makes the runoff especially important for voters to understand.
Why 50% matters.
In many elections, the candidate with the most votes wins. Georgia primaries work differently. A candidate must receive more than 50 percent of the vote to win a primary outright. That rule is why runoffs exist.
Here is a simple example: five candidates are running in a primary. The top candidate receives 35 percent of the vote. That is more than any other candidate, but it is not more than 50 percent. The top two candidates then move to a runoff, and the runoff winner moves forward to the November ballot.
Why does this rule exist? The 50 percent threshold means a candidate must receive majority support within that primary contest, not just finish first in a crowded field. The tradeoff is that it creates a second election many voters may not know is happening.
Want to understand what is at stake this June? See why the June 16 runoff matters →
Who can vote in the runoff?
Runoff eligibility can depend on whether you voted in the May primary, and if so, which ballot you chose. Here is how it generally works. For voter-specific questions, check Georgia’s My Voter Page or contact your county elections office.
If you voted a party ballot in the May primary, you may vote in that same party’s runoff. If you voted the Republican ballot in May, you may vote in the Republican runoff. If you voted the Democratic ballot in May, you may vote in the Democratic runoff.
If you did not vote in the May primary, you are generally eligible to choose either party’s runoff ballot. Georgia does not have party registration, so you are not locked into a party based on past votes.
You must be a registered Georgia voter to participate. Check your registration status and find your polling location at mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Eligibility rules can be complex. This is a general overview. For questions specific to your situation, visit mvp.sos.ga.gov or contact your county board of elections.
FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most often about Georgia runoffs.
Do I have to vote in the same party’s runoff as I did in the primary?
Generally, yes. If you voted a party primary ballot in May, you are expected to vote in that same party’s runoff. If you did not vote in the May primary, you may choose either party’s runoff ballot on June 16.
Can I vote absentee in the runoff?
Yes. Any registered Georgia voter may request an absentee ballot for the June 16 runoff. Absentee ballot applications must be received by your county elections office by a set deadline. Visit mvp.sos.ga.gov for current deadlines and to request your ballot.
What if there was no runoff in my primary race?
Not every race goes to a runoff. If a candidate in your district won more than 50 percent of the primary vote, that race is settled and will not appear on the June 16 ballot. You may still have other races on your runoff ballot. Check your sample ballot at mvp.sos.ga.gov.
Where do I vote on June 16?
Your polling location for the runoff may be different from your primary location. Always confirm your assigned polling place before election day at mvp.sos.ga.gov. Early voting locations and hours are also listed there.