South Carolina Republicans are preparing for their fourth primary election in 11 weeks on August 25, a delayed runoff to select a U.S. Senate nominee. This special primary became necessary after Senator Lindsey Graham passed away in July, leaving his seat vacant.
The upcoming runoff follows an initial special primary on August 11, where none of the 10 candidates secured a majority vote. This triggered the August 25 runoff between the top two contenders. This pattern of multiple elections has been a recurring theme this summer; the state also held runoffs on June 23 for races like the Republican primary for governor, after no candidate achieved a majority in the June 9 initial primary.
These repeated elections carry a substantial financial burden for South Carolina taxpayers. State election officials had estimated the cost of a statewide special primary, including both the primary and a potential runoff, could reach up to $6 million. This suggests the runoff alone could cost as much as $3 million. This figure does not include the additional millions spent on campaign advertising that voters experience.
Runoff elections, while intended to ensure majority support for nominees, often result in decreased voter participation. In 2024, primary runoffs nationally saw an average 63% drop in turnout from the initial election, with 81% of winners receiving fewer votes in the runoff. In South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary this summer, approximately 33% fewer voters participated in the runoff compared to the initial primary.
Ranked choice voting (RCV), also known as instant runoff voting, is presented as an alternative to these delayed and costly runoffs. RCV allows voters to rank candidates by preference, and if no candidate wins an outright majority of first-choice votes, an instant runoff process determines a majority winner on Election Day. This method would eliminate the need for separate runoff elections, saving taxpayer money and ensuring winners are decided when voter participation is typically highest.
South Carolina, along with several other states including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, already utilizes RCV for military and overseas voters in runoff scenarios. Due to the logistical challenges of mailing runoff ballots internationally shortly after a primary, these voters rank their choices during the initial primary. Their vote then counts for their highest-ranked finalist if a runoff occurs. Expanding this convenience to all South Carolina voters could streamline the election process and reduce the frequency of trips to the polls.
