1996 Georgia Senate election

[Adam Griffin]

Vosem's right: each party taking advantage of what's politically-expedient.

From the beginning of time through the 1992 election, Democrats in Georgia had no trouble winning run-offs, so the threshold was set at 50%.

After Fowler's loss, the General Assembly reduced the threshold to 45%, where it remained through 2004.

When the GAGOP took control of both chambers beginning in 2005, they moved the threshold back to 50%.

[Adam Griffin]

Now a runoff would probably have the same electorate as a normal election, but back then it was much more Republican.

Nah, it'd be even worse now.

Compare the 1992 election and run-off...
https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=13&year=1992&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=3
https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=13&year=1992&f=0&off=3&elect=6

to the 2008 election and run-off...
https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=13&year=2008&f=0&off=3&elect=0&class=2
https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips=13&year=2008&f=0&off=3&elect=6