Georgia runoff elections see turnout decline as much as 65%, showing need for reform
On June 16, Georgia held closely watched runoff elections in Republican primaries for governor and U.S. Senate, as well as lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and the 11th Congressional District. There were also runoffs in Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and three congressional districts.
Past statewide runoffs have cost Georgia taxpayers as much as $75 million. Turnout in this year’s runoffs fell by 24% statewide – with several races falling by more than 60%. These high costs and low turnout are predictable problems that could have been prevented if Georgia used ranked choice voting (RCV).
Turnout in key Georgia runoff elections
| Primary | Initial election turnout | Runoff election turnout | Turnout change |
| Governor (GOP) | 933,817 | 709,253 | -24.1% |
| U.S. Senate (GOP) | 912,696 | 702,209 | -23.1% |
| Lieutenant governor (GOP) | 889,130 | 691,624 | -22.2% |
| Lieutenant governor (Dem) | 1,030,951 | 383,845 | -62.8% |
| Secretary of state (GOP) | 851,794 | 667,090 | -21.7% |
| Secretary of state (Dem) | 1,028,197 | 383,830 | -62.7% |
| 1st Congressional District (Dem) | 57,159 | 23,813 | -58.3% |
| 7th Congressional District (Dem) | 49,421 | 17,221 | -65.2% |
| 11th Congressional District (GOP) | 80,165 | 68,915 | -14.0% |
| 12th Congressional District (Dem) | 61,284 | 30,139 | -50.8% |
Georgia held its initial primary elections on May 19. In 27 races where no candidate secured a majority of the vote, Georgia held runoffs between the top two finishers four weeks later.
Runoff elections are supposed to make government more representative by electing candidates with majority support. But in practice, runoffs usually shrink the electorate and come with a significant price tag for taxpayers and campaigns.
In the state’s Democratic primary runoffs, turnout fell so much that several candidates won their runoffs with fewer votes than they received in the May primary – entirely defeating the purpose of the runoff.
Votes for runoff winners
| Primary | Votes for winner in May primary | Votes for winner in June runoff | Change |
| Lieutenant governor (Dem) | 426,854 | 210,660 | -50.6% |
| Secretary of state (Dem) | 435,358 | 242,205 | -44.4% |
| 1st Congressional District (Dem) | 14,095 | 12,608 | -10.5% |
| 7th Congressional District (Dem) | 19,742 | 11,664 | -40.9% |
| 12th Congressional District (Dem) | 20,112 | 16,815 | -16.4% |
Ranked choice voting offers a better, faster, cheaper alternative. RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, with an “instant runoff” determining a majority winner when necessary. This means winners are determined on Election Day, when participation is highest and voters still have access to the full range of choices. With RCV, voters wouldn’t need to cast a second ballot for the same offices, and taxpayers wouldn’t have to cover the cost of a second election.
To support RCV in Georgia, visit Better Ballot Georgia today!
