Jungle Primaries: Finalist Dropout Question

[rbt48]

For states with jungle-type primaries (Louisiana, California, Washington), what do state laws allow/direct when one of the two finalists withdraws/dies between the primary and general/run-off election?  I'm sure that each state has a different outcome for this situation, but I doubt that the party of the withdrawn candidate gets to name a replacement.  Perhaps the third place finisher in the primary moves up to the general/runoff?  It doesn't seem right that the other finalist would be declared the winner, especially in the case of a death.  I look forward to seeing any responses.

[rbt48]

rbt48, It's an interesting question considering that NE is the original top-2 jungle primary state for its legislature. The only difference is that the party affiliation isn't shown on the ballot in NE.

Good point!  I can speak to how it works in Nebraska for the state legislature (and other various  mayoral and board elections--non-partisan).  The May primary lets the top two finishers advance to the November general election.  However, even if a candidate gets 99% of the vote in the May primary, they still have to compete in November.  If there are only two candidates in the May primary, the same two meet in November!  (This has struck me as kind of weird for the 22 years I've lived here.)

If there is a candidate dropout, another can replace that slot by petition with sufficient signatures (not sure how many are require) irrespective of party affiliation, but this needs to occur prior to ~Oct 1st.  After that, both candidates remain on the ballot if there is a dropout or death. 

[rbt48]

No.  Just 2 candidates in the general election.  If two were working up petitions, the first to file with enough valid signatures would appear on the ballot.  Any others would be excluded. 

Oh, write-in votes are allowed in the primary and general election.  I think that LA, CA, and WA do not allow write-in votes in the run-off elections.