The Short Answer: No
For general elections in Delaware, including those for federal offices like the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, a candidate does not need to secure a majority of the vote (meaning more than 50%). Instead, Delaware operates on a plurality system. This is the most common method used in the United States for general elections. Under this 'winner-take-all' or 'first-past-the-post' system, the candidate who receives the most votes wins the election, even if they fall short of a majority. For example, if Candidate A gets 45% of the vote, Candidate B gets 40%, and a third-party Candidate C gets 15%, Candidate A wins the election despite not having the support of the majority of voters.
Plurality vs. Majority: What's the Difference?
Understanding the distinction between a plurality and a majority
is key to understanding election outcomes. A majority requires a candidate to receive more than half of all the votes cast. If no one hits that 50%-plus-one threshold, a second election—known as a runoff—is often required between the top two vote-getters. A plurality, on the other hand, simply means a candidate received more votes than any of their opponents. Most states, including Delaware, use the plurality system for their general elections for federal and statewide offices. This system ensures a winner is declared after a single election, avoiding the cost and lower turnout often associated with runoff contests.
The States That Do Require a Majority
While Delaware sticks to the plurality model for general elections, a few states have different rules. Georgia is the most well-known example, requiring candidates in general elections for federal and state offices to win an outright majority. If no one achieves this, a runoff election is held between the top two finishers. Louisiana uses a system where all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same primary ballot; if one candidate wins a majority, they win the office outright, bypassing a general election. Mississippi also requires runoffs for some statewide offices if no candidate secures a majority. These systems are designed to ensure the winner has a broad mandate from more than half the electorate, but they can also lead to prolonged and expensive campaign cycles.
What About Primary Elections in Delaware?
The rules for primary elections—where parties select their nominees for the general election—can sometimes differ from the rules for general elections. However, in Delaware, the primary system also operates on a plurality basis. According to state law, the candidate who gets the greatest number of votes in their party's primary is declared the nominee, even if they don't capture a majority. For example, if a Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat has three candidates and the votes are split 40%, 35%, and 25%, the candidate with 40% of the vote becomes the party's nominee on the November ballot. Delaware holds closed primaries, meaning you must be a registered member of a party to vote in its primary election.
Why the System Matters
The choice between a plurality and a majority system has significant implications. Proponents of the plurality system, like the one used in Delaware, argue that it provides a clear and decisive winner without the need for additional elections. It avoids 'election fatigue' and the extra costs borne by taxpayers. Critics, however, argue that a plurality system can lead to winners who are not supported by a majority of the voters, potentially empowering extremist candidates or creating situations where a crowded field allows a candidate with a narrow base of support to win. The debate over which system best reflects the 'will of the people' is a long-standing one in American politics, with different states landing on different answers.
