What is the primary purpose of a runoff in a two-round system?

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of a runoff in a two-round system?

Two-round systems aim to ensure the winner has broad support. If no candidate wins more than half of the votes in the first round, the top candidates go to a runoff, and voters can reallocate their preferences to produce a winner who secure more than 50% in the final election. This prevents a candidate from winning with a simple plurality in a crowded field. The other options don’t capture the main purpose: the runoff is not primarily about shortening the campaign, nor about reducing turnout, and it isn’t specifically designed to eliminate minor parties.

Two-round systems aim to ensure the winner has broad support. If no candidate wins more than half of the votes in the first round, the top candidates go to a runoff, and voters can reallocate their preferences to produce a winner who secure more than 50% in the final election. This prevents a candidate from winning with a simple plurality in a crowded field. The other options don’t capture the main purpose: the runoff is not primarily about shortening the campaign, nor about reducing turnout, and it isn’t specifically designed to eliminate minor parties.

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