What is the percentage cut-off for primary election requirement in Texas?

In Texas, for a candidate to be eligible to advance to a runoff in a primary election, they must receive at least 20 percent of the votes cast in that election. This percentage cut-off is crucial because if no candidate secures a majority—more than 50 percent—then the top two candidates who have met this 20 percent threshold will move on to a runoff election. This system allows for broader participation in the electoral process and ensures that candidates garner sufficient support within their party before potentially facing candidates from opposing parties in the general election. Understanding this percentage helps in grasping how Texas primary elections function and the importance of voter turnout and distribution of preferences among candidates.