Dump The Runoff II

Two years ago I suggested that NC should join 42 other states in the union and abolish the runoff primary. I haven't changed my mind.

Some reasons:
a. Runoff primaries are expensive. They cost nearly as much to administer as a regular primary, nearly doubling the cost to taxpayers of administering the party nomination process (which is what the primary is);
b. Turnout is abysmal. In Pamlico County, turnout for this year's second primary was three percent of registered voters; across the state it was three and a half percent;
c. Runoff primaries are a holdover from the time when southern states had only one effective political party - the Democratic party, and whoever won the primary had won the election. That is no longer the case;
d. Runoff primaries seldom change the outcome - the leader after round one usually wins, anyhow;
e. A runoff primary delays the election process - results aren't final until after canvass. This year, County Boards will canvass on July 24 and State Board a week after that, delaying the start of down-ballot campaigns;
f. It isn't more democratic to have a tiny fraction of the electorate determine the outcome.

One way to accomplish the same purpose as a runoff is to hold some sort of instant runoff vote by ranking voter choices. We tried that for a judicial race two years ago. Voters found it confusing, our voting machines aren't certified for such a procedure, and the state board had to develop a work around.

Other states just award the nomination to the candidate with the most votes on primary day. Simple and effective.

While we are on the subject of primaries, I have also concluded it is inappropriate to vote on ballot measures during a primary. Ballot measures should be voted on at a general or municipal election, not an election designed for nominating party candidates.