This San Francisco Chronicle article quotes several leaders of the California Republican Party on the problem that the top-two system will likely result in no Republican appearing on the November 2018 ballot.

Jim Brulte, chair of the state party, is quoted as saying the November election is a “run-off.” He is incorrect. A run-off is something held after an election, in cases when the election failed to produce a winner. But in California, the June primary is not an election, because no one can be elected in June (for congress and partisan state office). Federal law forbids states from holding elections for congress at any time other than November of even-numbered years (except for special elections). States that want run-offs must hold them after November. The only two states with congressional general election run-offs are Georgia and Louisiana. Georgia holds them in January of odd years, and Louisiana in December of even years.

In November 2017, voters in Winterville, North Carolina chose city elected officials. The vote was close and the outcome was disputed. Normally the State Board of Elections would have made a final ruling, but because the State Board temporarily is deemed not to exist, the dispute had to be settled by a state court. See this story.

On January 10, the Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee passed HB 17. It provides that when there is a vacancy in a U.S. Senate seat, there would be no special election until November of the next even year. If this bill had been in effect last year, Alabama would not have held a special election to fill the vacancy created when Jeff Sessions resigned until November 2018. Instead, gubernatorial appointee Luther Strange would have filled the seat during 2018.