In a crowded race, it can be the deciding factor.

There is no runoff in the primary, so a candidate could win a crowded race with a relatively small plurality of the vote.

Despite a crowded three-way race, he won easily with over 60% of the total votes.

Handicapping this crowded race is even more complicated because the voters in the district have a history of being fiercely independent.

A candidate with a good issue can dominate a crowded race even if he is outspent by 3-to-l or 4-to-l.

It was a crowded race with seven candidates.

And he is no different from his contenders in the crowded race for borough president.

That wasn't the only crowded race, 17 men faced off for the four city commissioner seats.

In this crowded race, no particular outcome seems assured.

Is it too late to jump into that crowded race in California?