logo

Will Nevada have a runoff election in 2022?

By Todd Butterworth
NO

Nevada will not have a runoff election and does not provide for them in state law. Only two states, Georgia and Louisiana, require a runoff in a general election when a candidate fails to win a majority (50%) of votes. In every other state, a candidate can win a race with a plurality (highest percentage) of votes.

In the 2022 election, the race for the Nevada's U.S. Senate seat between Democratic incumbent Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican challenger Adam Laxalt was very close and not called until Nov. 12, four days after the election. As of Nov. 22, about 8,000 votes separated them. Cortez Masto’s victory decided control of the U.S. Senate for the Democrats.

In Georgia, neither Senate candidate received a majority of the vote, and a runoff election will be held on Dec. 6. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
FACT BRIEF BY
facebook
twitter
email
email