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Choosing a runoff election threshold

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  • Jeffrey O’Neill

Abstract

This paper investigates when a runoff election is desirable and when a plurality result is good enough. A runoff election increases the likelihood that the Condorcet winner will be elected but also entails additional costs. The metric for determining whether a runoff election is desirable will be the probability that the winner of the plurality election would win an ensuing runoff. Statistical models of voter behavior are developed that estimate this probability, which are verified with runoff-election data from United States elections. The models allow governments to make more informed choices in creating rules to decide when to hold runoff elections. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey O’Neill, 2007. "Choosing a runoff election threshold," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 131(3), pages 351-364, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:131:y:2007:i:3:p:351-364
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-006-9120-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Anouk RiviËre, 2004. "Comparing Electoral Systems: A Geometric Analysis," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 118(3_4), pages 389-412, March.
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    Keywords

    Runoff elections; Mathematical modeling;

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