NC H541

Political parties may opt to use a top-two, same-day runoff method in primaries where a divided vote may prevent any candidate from reaching the 30% threshold required to avoid a runoff

Voters in selected primaries would rank up to three candidates; if no one reaches 30% of first-preference votes, the top two candidates advance and second/third preferences are counted to determine the winner

Applies to primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Council of State, state legislature, and elected judicial and county offices, but excludes presidential primaries

Appropriates $410,000 per year for the 2025-2027 biennium ($210,000 for IT/ballot system integration and $200,000 for statewide voter education and training)

Effective December 1, 2025, for elections held on or after that date; funding provisions effective July 1, 2025