runoff election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "runoff election" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a second election held between the top two candidates if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the first election. An example of using "runoff election" in a sentence could be: "The city will hold a runoff election next month as neither candidate received enough votes to win in the first round."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the November 2009 runoff election Mujica was elected president of Uruguay with more than half of the vote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Giscard was elected to the presidency in a runoff election against the leftist candidate François Mitterrand on May 19 , 1974

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a runoff election on Nov. 8, 2005, Liberia made history when voters elected Africa's first woman president.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The runoff election will be in two weeks.

The New York Times

Voters were not spared a primary runoff election, however.

The New York Times

A runoff election is widely expected, raising the stakes.

The New York Times

Zimbabwe's presidential runoff election is still scheduled for Friday.

The New York Times

The runoff election will be on Nov. 29.

The New York Times

The answer was supposed to be a runoff election.

The New York Times

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France rallied supporters ahead of the presidential runoff election, set for Sunday.

The New York Times

If not, the top two face off in a runoff election a month later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about elections, clarify the conditions that trigger a "runoff election", such as no candidate achieving a majority in the first round.

Common error

Avoid using "runoff election" interchangeably with terms like "general election" or "primary election". A "runoff election" specifically refers to a second election held when no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the initial election.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "runoff election" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific type of election. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "runoff election" is a very common and grammatically correct term used to describe a second election held when no candidate achieves a majority in the initial vote. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various reliable sources, including news outlets, encyclopedias, and other publications. Understanding the nuances of when and why a "runoff election" occurs is crucial for clear and accurate communication about electoral processes. Alternatives such as "second round election" offer similar meanings, while it's important to distinguish "runoff election" from related but distinct concepts like general elections or recounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second round election

Replaces 'runoff' with 'second round', emphasizing the sequence of the election.

second ballot

Uses 'ballot' to refer to the election, simplifying the term.

election rematch

Highlights the competitive aspect of the second election.

subsequent election

Focuses on the timing of the election as following the first one.

additional voting round

Describes the process in terms of voting rounds.

final round of voting

Emphasizes the conclusive nature of the election.

secondary election

Uses 'secondary' to indicate the election's position after the initial vote.

tie-breaker election

Suggests that the election is to resolve a close initial result.

election re-run

Emphasizes the act of redoing the election process.

follow-up election

Highlights that the election is a direct result of the first.

FAQs

How is a "runoff election" different from a general election?

A general election is the primary election where all candidates compete. A "runoff election" is a secondary election between the top two candidates if no one achieves a majority in the first round.

What triggers a "runoff election"?

A "runoff election" is triggered when no candidate receives a majority of the votes (typically over 50%) in the initial election. The top two candidates then compete in a second round of voting.

What's an alternative to saying "runoff election"?

You can use phrases like "second round election" or "second ballot" to refer to a "runoff election".

Is a "runoff election" the same as a recount?

No, a "runoff election" is a second election, while a recount is a re-tabulation of votes from the first election to ensure accuracy.