Will there be a primary runoff?

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on May 5, 2008 - 3:33pm.
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Speculation is rampant about the potential for a primary runoff.

On the Republican side, gubernatorial candidates Fred Smith and Pat McCrory are running neck and neck, but a stronger than expected showing from the back of the pack by either Bob Orr or Bill Graham could deny them an outright win.

On the Democratic side, a four-way lieutenant governor's race between Dan Besse, Walter Dalton, Hampton Dellinger and Pat Smathers could be similarly close.

To win outright, a candidate must get more than 40 percent of the vote. If more than one candidate gets over that benchmark, the top vote-getter wins outright.

But if no one gets over 40, the second-place finisher can request a recount. To do so, the candidate must make a request in writing within nine days — including weekends — of Election Day, or noon on Thursday, May 15.

If a runoff election is held, it would be on June 24.

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Re: Will there be a primary runoff?

Submitted by carolinabluebird on May 5, 2008 - 5:10pm.

I think that if Pat Nader and Dan Nader were not in the race, Hampton would easily win outright. With those two in the race, it's gonna be close to see of Hamton can get that 40% the first time around.

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