Option Top-2 Same-Day Primary Runoff/Elections.

HB 541 allows North Carolina political parties to optionally use a "top-two, same-day runoff" system in certain primaries where no candidate receives 30% of the vote. Under this system, voters rank up to three candidates; if no candidate hits 30%, the top two advance, and ballots for eliminated candidates are redistributed based on second and third preferences to determine the winner - all on the primary election day. The bill applies to primaries for state and federal offices (including U.S. Senate, House, state legislature, and judicial seats), but excludes presidential primaries. This change aims to reduce the need for separate runoff elections while ensuring nominees have broader support.