An end to run-offs in Florida

Among the changes in Florida law for 2006, is the elimination of election run-offs. Till recently if no primary candidate got a majority, a second run-off election was held.

State-wide runoffs had been waived for about the last 10 years by the legislature but now the change is permanent. Florida runoff elections have had an interesting history. Three of the most powerful Democratic politicans in this state since 1970- Ruben Askew, Lawton Chiles and Bob Graham were first elected to state-wide office when they finished second in the first primary but won the second run-off. Now that tradition is gone.

Runoffs were notorious for low turnouts. Maybe its good they are being eliminated but a little bit of Florida Political history dies with it.

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