What is a runoff primary?

A runoff primary is a subsequent election held when no candidate receives a majority of the votes in the initial primary election. This situation typically arises in electoral systems that require a candidate to achieve a certain threshold of votes—most commonly a majority (more than 50%)—to be declared the winner. When this threshold isn't met, a runoff is conducted to allow voters to select among the top candidates, usually the ones who received the most votes. This process ensures that the eventual candidate chosen by political parties has broader support from the electorate.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe a runoff primary. The second option relates to presidential elections, which is a different context entirely. The third option suggests an unrestricted election, which does not align with the structured nature of primaries, where candidates typically compete within party rules. The fourth option implies a geographic restriction, which does not pertain to the nature of runoff primaries as they can occur in various electoral contexts across both urban and rural areas.