Special election procedure for each state

[RBH]

From what I know.

Texas: Everybody runs, if nobody gets a majority, then the top two go to a runoff.

California: Everybody runs, if nobody gets a majority, then the top Democrat and Republican go to a runoff.

Louisiana: They might be transitioning away from the open primary for special elections.

Georgia and Mississippi have systems like the Texas system.

Missouri has the district committees pick candidates. I think Pennsylvania does too.

Ohio has the primary/general election system. I think Florida, Arkansas, and Oklahoma do as well. And Massachusetts.

Any other state info that you wanna pass on?

[Nutmeg]

California: Everybody runs, if nobody gets a majority, then the top Democrat and Republican go to a runoff.

What if a 3rd party or independent finishes first or second in the first round?

[RBH]

Actually, third parties go to the runoff no matter how they do in the first round.

So in Round one, it could be 9 Democrats, 5 Republicans, an AIP, a Green, and a P&F.

Then in Round two, it's one of each party.

[Verily]

So all Independents, and the top Green, top Libertarian, etc. all make it to the run-off? That seems kind of... pointless. Why not just have the top finisher, period?

[Nutmeg]

So all Independents, and the top Green, top Libertarian, etc. all make it to the run-off? That seems kind of... pointless. Why not just have the top finisher, period?

It's basically open primaries for all parties thrown together on the same ballot, it seems, so if there were a lot more candidates from one party than another in round 1, it wouldn't hurt that party's chances.

I can see the rationale.