Does the Mississippi governor election have a runoff?
Short answer: yes, if no candidate receives a majority. Mississippi's governor election is not simply a highest-vote-wins contest when the top candidate falls short of a majority.
Mississippi has a governor runoff rule for no-majority elections
Yes. Mississippi governor elections can have a general-election runoff if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. Mississippi Constitution Article 5, Section 140 says the person receiving a majority is elected; if no person receives a majority, a runoff election is held under procedures prescribed by the Legislature.
That rule matters in a multi-candidate general election. It also means readers should keep two runoff concepts separate: the party-primary runoff before nominees are chosen, and a possible general-election runoff after November only if no candidate receives a majority.
What to remember
- Majority threshold: the constitutional rule is based on a majority of votes cast for the office.
- Contingency only: a runoff is not guaranteed just because the office is on the ballot.
- Different from the primary: the Aug. 31, 2027 second-primary date is for party nominations, not the November general election.
Use next
FAQ
Does the Mississippi governor election have a runoff?
Yes. Mississippi governor elections can have a general-election runoff if no candidate receives a majority of the votes. Mississippi Constitution Article 5, Section 140 says the person receiving a majority is elected; if no person receives a majority, a runoff election is held under procedures prescribed by the Legislature.
Is the governor runoff the same as the party-primary runoff?
No. The party-primary runoff is part of the nomination process before the general election. The general-election runoff rule applies after the November statewide election if no candidate for governor receives a majority.
Is a 2027 Mississippi governor general-election runoff scheduled?
The SOS calendar lists Nov. 30, 2027 for a general runoff, if required. The general election is November 2. The runoff occurs only if the results require that additional round.
Sources
- Mississippi Secretary of State 2026–2027 election calendar - Lists Nov. 30, 2027 for a general runoff, if required.
- Mississippi Constitution, Article 5, Section 140 - Official Mississippi Secretary of State PDF: statewide executive officers, including governor, are elected by majority vote; if no person receives a majority, a runoff election is held under procedures prescribed by law.