It’s worth remembering that we’re watching a runoff election at all is a little odd — this is not standard operating procedure in most states, where the winner of the most votes (even if it’s a plurality) usually wins. Experts have pointed out that Georgia’s runoff system is rooted in a historic attempt to dilute Black voting power, giving white voters a second chance to mobilize to defeat Black candidates. Republicans have benefited from runoffs in recent years, but they might be rethinking it depending on how tonight shakes out.
