Enacts GS 163-111.5. Describes the section's purpose. Limited to primaries for any federal or State office and elected judicial and county offices, allows that when no candidate has received a substantial plurality of total votes cast in a primary, the second-highest polling candidate can request a runoff. Grants a political party the option to use a top-two, same-day runoff method for a primary if the party determines a divided vote may prevent one candidate from attaining 30% of the vote and trigger a runoff. Allows voters to rank up to three candidates in order of preference for multicandidate primaries selected for a top-two, same-day runoff, where the two candidates with the most first-preference votes advance to a runoff if after an initial tabulation no candidate attains 30% of the first-preference votes. Details ballot tabulation and declaration of the winner. Provides for continued application of the method if the NCGA adjusts the substantial plurality requirement. Provides for a political party to request a top-two runoff in a primary by written request to the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections within 21 days after the filing deadline, with requests for single-county State Senate or State House of Representatives districts or county offices submitted to the respective county board of elections within the same timeframe instead.

Directs the State Board of Elections (State Board) to develop an optimal method for conducting and counting a top-two, same-day runoff primary; research and design a ballot for voters to rank their preferred candidates that interworks with voting equipment used by jurisdictions in the State, as specified; and develop a program for voter education for using the system.

Applies to elections held on or after December 1, 2025.

Appropriates from the General Fund to the State Auditor, for the State Board, $410,000 for each year of the 2025-27 biennium for implementation, education, and training needed in the development of the optional top-two, same-day primary runoff method. Directs the State Board to allocate the funds in specified amounts for information technology development work and ballot changes, and for statewide education and training requirements, as specified. Effective July 1, 2025.