Will there be a runoff in Florida

[Nancy Waterman]

if no one gets to 50% of the vote? If so, then Rubio and Crist may well have a face off.

[ellenfl]

1. good question. i don't know. however, no one is saying so

even as they acknowledge that rubio will probably only get 44% of the vote. otherwise, i'm sure scotus will be happy to choose for us. :sarcasm:

ellen fl

[DrDan]

2. no runoff in Florida

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/29/State/Senate_writes_obituar.shtml

[Nancy Waterman]

3. That article is about primary runoffs

Are you sure it is the same for the general election? Someone recently told me it is a national law that a Senate winner has to have 50% or more. I had never heard this.

[ellenfl]

4. a quick google search turns up no majority is needed. again,

considering none of the jabbering heads have mentioned a runoff, i doubt it is required.

ellen fl

[DrDan]

6. you are correct - that legislation is for primaries

HB 1673 would permanently repeal the second primary election in Florida. The bill also makes
conforming changes to the campaign reporting schedules to account for the repeal of the second
primary.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/data/session/2005/House/bills/analysis/pdf/h1673.ETEL.pdf

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. I wonder about this, too, because we saw run-offs in MN, and AK for example.

All general elections where, of course, Al Franken and Mark Begich won, respectfully.

[nsd]

10. Neither MN nor AK had a runoff.

Franken versus Coleman was subjected to a recount, not a runoff election.

Begich won outright even though he got less than 50% of the vote -- no runoff or recount needed.

The only 2008 runoff I remember was in Georgia (Chambliss versus Martin).

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

11. O.K.! Thanks for the clarification. n/t

[onenote]

9. there is no such national law

[monmouth]

5. Rubio had 100 ppl. show up in Delray yesterday. Most were there

to see Rudeeee. They expected a whole lot more...LOL..

[RockaFowler]

16. And the media still covered it

I'm so disappointed in my station. They always let these Tea-Baggers take over the conversation and never give the whole story. I swear this station is now run by Tea-Party people.

[monmouth]

17. Absolutely, same with my station down here....n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

18. I've got it figured out

They're the "Pod" People!!!! Ah!!!! Run for your lives!!!!

:scared:

[elocs]

7. Why would anyone need 50%. Winner is general elections are by plurality.

The candidate with the most votes wins regardless of their percentage.

I'm surprised anyone here would need to ask that.

[66 dmhlt]

14. GA: Saxby Chambliss (R) v Jim Martin (D) Runoff 2008 Senate

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/us/politics/14georgia.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Georgia,_2008

[onenote]

15. its a state by state thing. Georgia law requires a majority, Florida does not

Here is the relevant provision of Florida law:

100.181 Determination of person elected.—The
person receiving the highest number of votes cast in a
general or special election for an office shall be elected
to the office. In case two or more persons receive an
equal and highest number of votes for the same office,
such persons shall draw lots to determine who shall be
elected to the office.

[demwing]

19. Why does that surprise you? /nt

[peekaloo]

12. I'd prefer they both be "run out "of the state.

}(

but I'm sure the answer is no.

[flpoljunkie]

13. No, the candidate who receives the largest number of votes wins.

Although, there could be an automatic recount, if the vote margin is less than half of one-percent. This scenario seems unlikely with Rubio so far ahead.