Committee advances December runoff for 2026 federal races; HB4 reported favorably 9-4

A House committee on Thursday reported House Bill 4 favorably by a 9–4 vote, moving forward a measure that would require a December runoff in 2026 when no candidate receives a majority in certain closed-primary elections.

Representative Dalton Baham, sponsor of HB4, told the committee the bill "does something, very, simple in concept. It provides for a runoff in December in our federal elections in 2026, or any, rather, any election done via the closed primary, to ensure that a candidate receives a majority vote of the electorate." He said the measure would not change the closed primary itself but would ensure winners in the November general election have majority support.

The bill applies to general-election contests conducted under the closed-primary system that the Legislature adopted earlier in 2024. "This preserves the closed primary," Baham said, "this does not in any way, shape or form affect the closed primary. This only impacts the general election." He cited Georgia as an example of a state that holds runoffs after general elections and said the measure could be limited to the 2026 cycle but that he would consider making it permanent.

During committee debate, members raised scheduling concerns, including the possibility that a December runoff could postpone when new members assume committee assignments in Congress. Representative Newell asked whether delaying seating and committee placements was an acceptable trade-off; Baham replied that he believed it was more important that the person elected have majority backing than earlier seating.

Public testimony included supporters who said the change matters to voters. JC Harmon testified he had received many messages from constituents after reviewing the bill and said it had "lit up my phone" because Louisianans were upset the state could send members to Congress without a majority vote.

Representative Baham moved to report the bill favorably; a roll call produced nine yeas and four nays and the committee advanced HB4. The committee record did not list a formal second for the motion in the transcript. The bill as presented covers the 2026 election calendar; Baham said he would be open to a permanent change but chose the 2026-limited language to match the governor's call and preserve germaneness to the special session.