What term describes an election held when the required number of candidates does not receive a majority of the votes cast?

A run-off election occurs when no candidate achieves the required majority of votes in a previous election. This situation often arises in jurisdictions with a majority voting system, where a candidate must receive more than half of the votes to win outright. If no candidate meets this threshold, a run-off election is conducted between the top candidates, allowing voters to make a final decision on who should hold the office. This process ensures that the elected candidate has broad support among the electorate.

Other types of elections, such as special elections, primary elections, or re-elections, serve different purposes. Special elections are typically called to fill vacant positions or address specific issues outside the regular election cycle. Primary elections determine which candidates will represent a political party in a general election and may include multiple candidates vying for a single party nomination. Re-elections occur when an incumbent seeks another term, which is distinct from the need to restore majority support through a run-off. Thus, the term run-off specifically captures the necessity of addressing a lack of majority support in the initial election, making it the correct answer.