Primary Calendar Stirs Republican Anxiety
By JEFF ZELENY
Published: July 26, 2011, The New York Times, A13.
WASHINGTON — Even as the Republican presidential contenders zigzag through Iowa, New
Hampshire and South Carolina, an uncertain and potentially unwieldy primary schedule in subsequent
states is alarming party leaders, who fear that the voting could start earlier, last longer and complicate
efforts to confront President Obama next year.
The 2012 presidential race is the first to fall under new rules from the Republican National Committee,
which had intended the contests to start in February, a month later than in 2008. But at least a half
dozen states are threatening to defy the rules and move up their primaries.
The result is that the first ballots are once again likely to be cast in January as Iowa, New Hampshire
and South Carolina move up the dates of their contests to protect their franchises as the early voting
states.
At the same time, the rush toward the front of the calendar by Florida, Michigan, Arizona, Colorado,
Georgia and Missouri is accompanied by another trend: several states are pushing back their
presidential primaries — or canceling them entirely — because of tight state budgets.
The outcome is a sharply scaled-back set of contests in the weeks after the initial flurry — with Super
Tuesday in particular diminished in importance — followed by a stretch of primaries lasting until
summer.
The California presidential primary, which in 2008 took place in February, is most likely to be held in
June, the same day as the statewide primary, to save the state $100 million. New York, which also held
its presidential primary in February last time, has pushed back its date to April 24. And the state of
Washington will not hold its presidential primary to save $10 million.
“If there was ever a calendar that was designed for the nominating battle to go the distance, this is it,”
said John Weaver, the chief strategist for the campaign of Jon M. Huntsman Jr., a former governor of
Utah. “It could easily go into April and May.”
The unsettled calendar has created anxiety and opportunity for Republican candidates.
If Gov. Rick Perry of Texas enters the race, as his advisers believe he will in the next few weeks, he
could face a hospitable run of primaries. The Texas primary on March 6, which comes with a large
trove of delegates, will be followed by several other contests across the South.
Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, has been working to build a muscular political
organization to help fortify him through a drawn-out nominating fight. His associates have urged Utah,
which he won in 2008, to move up its primary so a clutch of Western states could provide friendly
terrain. Republicans in Idaho voted last week to hold caucuses on March 6.
A game of leapfrog takes place every presidential election cycle, with states trying to break the
monopoly that Iowa and New Hampshire have held for decades by holding the first caucus and first
primary. Yet every effort has produced the same result: Iowa and New Hampshire simply move up
their contests.
“At this point, there are a few more states in play than there were four years ago,” said William M.
Gardner, New Hampshire’s secretary of state. “New Hampshire will be the first. I just don’t know
when it will be.”
The catalyst in the intense jockeying among states is Florida. Republican leaders want the state to hold
a prominent spot in the early phase of the nominating process. The Legislature formed a committee to
select a primary date, which is likely to be in early March, but could move to February or late January
if other states advance their contests.
The ambitions of Florida are being carefully watched by Republican leaders in other states that have
their own aspirations to play a key role in helping to select the party’s nominee.
“We can’t let Florida establish an early beachhead in the process,” said Saul Anuzis, a member of the
Republican National Committee who is from Michigan. “There’s been this game of chicken between
Florida and Michigan, saying if you guys go early, we’re going to go early.”
For all of the precision that presidential campaigns require, the process of selecting a nominee is
dictated by a haphazard set of rules that vary by state. Some states conduct closed primaries (registered
Republicans only), and others have open primaries (independents and Democrats can
In Arizona, the primary is scheduled by the governor, and Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, is
considering moving the date to mid-February to coincide with the state’s centennial celebration. In
Georgia, the primary is the purview of the secretary of state, Brian Kemp, who is Republican.
“It’s kind of like poker, really,” Mr. Kemp said in an interview. “You’re gambling if you go early. If
you get penalized, is it worth it?”
Under Republican Party rules, states are stripped of half their delegates to the nominating convention if
they jump ahead of the proposed guidelines, while states that adhere to them get additional delegates.
Josh Putnam, an assistant professor at Davidson College who studies presidential primaries and writes
the blog FrontloadingHQ, said the biggest change to the calendar was the shrinking of Super Tuesday
— from 24 states last time to about 10 next year — and the lengthening of the nominating season.
“Four years ago, there was a mad rush to the first Tuesday in February,” Mr. Putnam said. “This time,
a sizable chunk of states are deciding to move back.”
Another dynamic in the calendar fight has made this round of behind-the-scenes competition among
states even more chaotic.
Republicans have long operated under a winner-takes-all system, which has allowed the party to wrap
up its nominating fight more swiftly than Democrats, who allow states to award delegates proportional
to the share of votes received by the candidates. This time, most Republican delegates will be awarded
proportionally for all primaries and caucuses taking place before April 1, which means finishing
second can be nearly as fruitful as winning. If the campaign narrows to a head-to-head match between
two candidates next year, it has the potential to become a Republican version of the extended 2008
Democratic delegate fight between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton that was not resolved
until all states had voted.
Even as Republican candidates are criticizing Mr. Obama’s policies, campaign strategists say they are
studying his campaign playbook, taking particular interest in how his advisers mastered the intricate
rules of awarding delegates from primaries and caucuses, which ultimately delivered him the
nomination.
Kitty Bennett contributed reporting.
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NOTE: TheMainecaucuses arescheduledfor Feb. 4-11, andtheWyomingcaucuses for March6-10. Dates for theGuamandNorthernMarianaIslands caucuses havenot beenconfirmed.
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Sources: JoshPutnam, FrontloadingHQ; RepublicanParty; datafrompolls of likely Republicanprimary voters conductedby CNN/Time/OpinionResearch, NBC/Marist andQuinnipiac University.
UPDATEDJanuary 30, 2012
The Republican Nomination: Goingthe Distance
Mitt Romney has pulledaheadof Newt Gingrichinthe Floridapolls andis the favorite inmany of the February contests, but Mr. Gingrichhas vowedto
continue onuntil the RepublicanconventioninAugust.
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POLITICS EDUCATION BAYAREA CHICAGO TEXAS
Michigan 25.16.329.738.9
13.18.418.460.1Colorado
20.915.722.041.4Minnesota
8.718.321.151.9Maine
Others
22.513.712.751.1%Nevada
PaulMcCainRomney
Mr. Romney’s percentage of the vote in2008 March and April
February contests
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Mr. Gingrich is hoping to increase his delegate count
when key southern states (like Georgia, the state he
represented in Congress) vote on Super Tuesday and
later in March and inApril.
While each of the states poses challenges for Mr.
Romney, he won five of them in 2008.
DELEGATESBYSTATE
Even if a candidate won everydelegate, the nomination couldn’t be secured until mid-March.DELEGATEACCUMULATION
PRIMARY CAUCUS
2008
1,191 to win
20121,144 to win
28delegates
P.R.
Wash.
JUN.MAYAPR.MAR.FEB.JAN.
Super Tuesday
Vt.
Alaska
N.D.
Wyo.
Idaho
Mass.
Okla.
Va.
Tenn.
Ohio
Ga.
Del.
R.I.
Conn.
Pa.
Ind.
W.Va.
Ark.
N.M.
Mont.
S.D.
N.J.
Utah
Calif.
Ky.
Ore.
Neb.
N.C.
N.Y.
D.C.
Md.
Wis.
La.
Ill.
Mo.
A.S.
Hawaii
Miss.
Ala.
Kan.
V.I.
Tex.Mich.
Ariz.
Minn.
Colo.
Nev.
Me.Fla.
S.C.
N.H.
Iowa
SIGNINTO E-MAIL
Republican Delegate Allocation/Contests
Jan. 3 Iowa Caucuses 28 delegates
Jan. 10 New Hampshire Primary 12 delegates
Jan. 21 South Carolina Primary 25 delegates
Jan. 31 Florida Primary 50 delegates
Feb. 4 Maine Caucuses 24 delegates
Nevada Caucuses 28 delegates
Feb. 7 Colorado Caucuses 36 delegates
Minnesota Caucuses 40 delegates
Feb. 28 Arizona Primary 29 delegates
Michigan Primary 30 delegates
March 3 Washington Caucuses 43 delegates
March 6 Alaska Caucuses 27 delegates
Georgia Primary 76 delegates
Idaho Caucuses 32 delegates
Massachusetts Primary 41 delegates
North Dakota Caucuses 28 delegates
Ohio Primary 66 delegates
Oklahoma Primary 43 delegates
Tennessee Primary 58 delegates
Vermont Primary 17 delegates
Virginia Primary 49 delegates
Wyoming Caucuses 29 delegates
March 10 Guam Caucuses 9 delegates
Kansas Caucuses 40 delegates
Virgin Islands Caucuses 9 delegates
March 13 Alabama Primary 50 delegates
American Samoa Caucuses 9 delegates
Hawaii Caucuses 20 delegates
Mississippi Primary 40 delegates
March 17 Missouri Caucuses 52 delegates
March 18 Puerto Rico Caucuses 23 delegates
March 20 Illinois Primary 69 delegates
March 24 Louisiana Primary 46 delegates
April 3 District of Columbia Primary 19 delegates
Maryland Primary 37 delegates
Texas Primary 155 delegates
Wisconsin Primary 42 delegates
April 24 Connecticut Primary 28 delegates
Delaware Primary 17 delegates
New York Primary 95 delegates
Pennsylvania Primary 72 delegates
Rhode Island Primary 19 delegates
May 8 Indiana Primary 46 delegates
North Carolina Primary 55 delegates
West Virginia Primary 31 delegates
May 15 Nebraska Primary 35 delegates
Oregon Primary 28 delegates
May 22 Arkansas Primary 36 delegates
Kentucky Primary 45 delegates
June 5 California Primary 172 delegates
Montana Primary 26 delegates
New Jersey Primary 50 delegates
New Mexico Primary 23 delegates
South Dakota Primary 28 delegates
June 26 Utah Primary 40 delegates
Aug. 27-30 Republican National Convention
February 14, 2012 6:30 PM
Poll: Most GOP voters think long primary
hurts nominee
By Lucy Madison
(Credit: CBS)
As the Republican presidential field heads into what increasingly looks like a lengthy battle to
the GOP nomination, a new CBS News/New York Times poll shows that most Republican
voters see a long primary process as potentially damaging to the party's eventual nominee.
According to the poll, conducted by telephone from February 8-13, 57 percent of Republican
voters nationwide say a drawn-out nomination battle - and the associated attacks on a candidate would
hurt the nominee's chances in 2012.
Thirty-five percent say a long nomination contest would make the Republican candidate more
tested and prepared for the general election; subsequently, they say, a long nominating contest
would help the nominee.
Throughout the nomination process, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney -- the frontrunner
for much of the campaign -- has been the subject of near-constant assault from his
Republican rivals, who have attacked his record and cast him as a flip-flopper.
A handful of recent polls, including tonight's CBS News/New York Times poll, suggest that the
nomination fight has already taken a toll on Romney, whose support among independents has
dropped considerably in the last several weeks.
According to the poll, self-identified independents have recently shifted away from Romney
toward President Obama.
A month ago, independents were more inclined to vote for Romney or Ron Paul than for the
president; now they favor Mr. Obama against all four of the major Republican challengers.
The poll shows also shows Mr. Obama holding for the first time a significant lead over each of
his potential Republican opponents -- including Romney -- in the general election.
The new survey shows the president leading Romney by six points, 48 percent to 42 percent,
among registered voters. Last month, the two men were tied at 45 percent each. Mr. Obama led
the recently-surging Rick Santorum by eight points in the poll, which showed Santorum faring
better than Romney among independents.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57377866-503544/poll-most-gop-voters-think-longprimary-hurts-nominee/?tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea,
accessed 12 March 2012.
Republicans grow anxious for primary race
to end
Some in the party fear the hostile nominating contest is
hopelessly damaging its chances of defeating President
Obama in November. Democrats cheerfully agree.
Newt Gingrich, campaigning in Ohio, said of rival Mitt Romney: "He's a very long way from having closed out this race." (Mario Tama, Getty
Images / March 3, 2012)
By Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2012
Reporting from Cincinnati—
After a dozen contests, 20 debates and the prospect of weeks or even months of continued
skirmishing, there is a growing clamor among Republicans to bring the presidential nomination
race to a close for fear of hopelessly damaging the party's chances against President Obama.
Republicans designed their plan for picking a nominee to test their candidates with a longer,
more grueling campaign. But the move threatens to backfire in favor of a Democratic incumbent
who has gained strength as the increasingly nasty GOP contest has worn on.
"There's been plenty of preliminaries," said Curt Steiner, a Republican strategist in Ohio, the
most important of the nearly dozen states voting this week on Super Tuesday. "It's time to focus
on the general election."
Steiner backs Mitt Romney, so it's no surprise he would like to end the primary season with the
former Massachusetts governor ahead, if still far short of the 1,144 convention delegates needed
to secure the nomination. Sending a signal from Washington, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor
of Virginia on Sunday announced his endorsement of Romney ahead of his state's Tuesday
primary.
It's not just Romney backers, though, who worry about the toll of a prolonged and increasingly
nasty contest.
"The campaign has become deeply personal and very negative," said Steve Schmidt, who
managed Arizona Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and is staying neutral this
time. "There is no optimistic vision. It's all about stabbing the opponent."
The damage, Schmidt said, is evident in polls that show Obama gaining ground against
challengers while negative views of the Republican field increase. More worrisome from the
GOP perspective is the shift of political independents toward Obama and the risk of further
alienating those swing voters as the discussion strays from economic issues to the merits of
contraception and the separation of church and state.
"This is stuff that will do great harm to the Republican Party," Schmidt said, a view shared, quite
happily, by the Obama camp.
The president chimed in at a New York City fundraiser last week. "I recommend you watch the
recent debates," he told donors. "I'm thinking about just running those as advertisements."
Yet no one can simply call a halt to the Republican race. The only way the campaign will end,
short of one candidate mathematically clinching the nomination, is for the also-rans to quit,
something they seem to have no intention of doing anytime soon.
"This is going to go on for a good while," Newt Gingrich said Sunday on ABC's "This Week
with George Stephanopoulos." Romney may outspend the rest of the GOP field "by multiples,"
the former House speaker said, but "he's not a very convincing front-runner, and he's a long way
from having closed out this race."
With the benefit of deep-pocketed "super PACs" — political action committees that support their
effort — and rules allowing them to win delegates even if they finish second or worse,
candidates have every incentive to keep running.
In resisting pressure to step aside, Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum have
played to the insurgent sentiments embodied by the tea party movement, portraying their
candidacies as a rebellion against the top-down order some in the party would like to impose.
(Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who has a small but indefatigable core of supporters, operates by his
own rules.)
"We're up against a sledgehammer here with the Romney campaign ... but we just start getting
tougher," Santorum said during a weekend visit to a sandwich shop in Wilmington, Ohio. "I
think that's what going to happen in this campaign."
That notion — betterment through competition — is precisely what party leaders intended.
Although he is supporting Romney, Saul Anuzis, a member of the Republican National
Committee, welcomes the stiff nominating fight.
"It gives them an opportunity to fine-tune their message" in an environment "that's clearly no less
intense than what they're going to face in the general election," Anuzis said. "I think whoever
emerges as our nominee will probably be a stronger and better candidate because of the process."
Many Republicans point to 2008, when Democrats Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton battled
into June. Obama improved as a candidate and won such Republican-leaning states as Indiana
and North Carolina in November in part because of the groundwork his campaign laid during
primaries in those states.
There are, however, important differences.
The Democratic contest got rough at times, but the candidates largely avoided the sort of
personal attacks — Romney as a vulture capitalist, Gingrich as ethically unfit, Santorum as a
hypocrite — that Republicans have burned into voters' minds with millions of dollars in negative
TV ads. In 2008, Schmidt noted, "the primary tension among Democrats was over which of two
historic candidates they would choose. They liked both of them.... As this race goes on,
Republicans increasingly say, 'We don't like any of them. We want someone else in the race.' "
Independent voters have been especially turned off. For a time, Romney enjoyed a double-digit
lead over the president among those unaligned voters, who will be crucial to winning in the fall.
But more recent surveys have shown Obama pulling ahead.
Independents are by their very nature less ideological and care far more about jobs and the
economy than godliness and debates over morality, subjects that Romney cannot avoid when
Santorum thrusts them into the campaign. More than once, the GOP front-runner has highlighted
positions — such as opposition to Title X, a federal program that funds contraception and
preventive care for poor women — that may fend off his primary opponents but probably
wouldn't help him in November.
However, GOP strategist Charlie Black, among others, insists that everything will change once
the party has a nominee to rally behind and the focus turns to the fight against Obama. The
timing, he said, is immaterial.
"I've done it both ways," said Black, who has spent decades working in Republican presidential
campaigns. "There's not any correlation between clinching the nomination early and winning in
November."
Even so, plenty of nervous Republicans would like the scuffling to end sooner rather than later.
"Any day we aren't out there talking about economic growth and getting the country moving is
not a good day," said Fred Malek, a Romney backer and another veteran GOP strategist. "The
closer we get to that day, the better."
###
2012 CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY DATES
AND CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES FOR BALLOT ACCESS
(Data as of 3/2/12)
Note: Dates Subject to Change / S Indicates Senate Election / General Election Date 11/6/12
-1Establishing
the date for a Presidential primary, and determining the type of Presidential primary held, varies from state to state. This is due to
differences in state statutes, party constitutions, party rules and regulations, party by-laws, and delegate selection plans. In some states, a caucus
and/or convention may be held instead of a Presidential primary election. Other states may use a combination of both caucuses and primaries for
delegate selection. This state-by-state variation should be kept in mind when examining this listing of dates for the 2012 Presidential primaries.
Questions concerning a state’s primary election procedure should be addressed to the state’s Election Director.
STATE PRESIDENTIAL
PRIMARY
DATE
PRESIDENTIAL
CAUCUS DATE
FILING
DEADLINE FOR
PRIMARY
BALLOT ACCESS
INDEPENDENT 1
FILING DEADLINE
FOR GENERAL
ELECTION
Alabama 3/13 1/13 9/6 (Independent)
3/13 (Third/Minor)
Alaska 3/6 (Republicans)
4/9-4/16 (Democrats) n/a 8/8
American Samoa 3/6 (Democrats)
3/13 (Republicans)
n/a n/a
Arizona 2/28 1/9 5pm 5/30 5pm (Third/Minor)
9/7 5pm (Independent)
Arkansas 5/22 3/1 Noon 8/6 Noon (Independent)
California 6/5 3/29 (Democrats)
3/23 (All Others)
8/10 (Independent)
Colorado 2/7 (Republicans)
3/6 (Democrats) n/a
4/2 (Third/Minor)
6/4 3pm (Independent)
Connecticut 4/24 3/2 8/8
Delaware 4/24 2/24 4:30pm 9/4
D.C. 4/3 1/4 8/8
Florida 1/31 10/31 7/15
Georgia 3/6 n/a 8/6 Noon
Guam 5/5 (Democrats)
3/10 (Republicans)
n/a n/a
Hawaii 3/7 (Democrats)
3/13 (Republicans)
n/a 8/8 4:30pm
Idaho 3/6 (Republicans)
4/14 (Democrats)
n/a 8/24
Illinois 3/20 1/6 6/25
Indiana 5/8 2/10 Noon 7/16 Noon
Iowa 1/3 n/a 8/17
Kansas 3/10 (Republicans)
4/14 (Democrats)
n/a 8/6 Noon (Independent)
6/1 or 6/114
(Third/Minor)
Kentucky 5/22 1/31 9/7
Louisiana 3/24 12/9 9/7 5pm
Maine 2/4-2/11 (Republicans)
3/11 (Democrats)
n/a 8/15 5pm (Independent)
Maryland 4/3 1/11 8/6
Massachusetts 3/6 1/6 7/31
Michigan 2/28 12/9 7/19 (Independent)
Minnesota 2/7 n/a 8/21
Mississippi 3/13 1/14 9/7
2012 CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY DATES
AND CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES FOR BALLOT ACCESS
(Data as of 3/2/12)
Note: Dates Subject to Change / S Indicates Senate Election / General Election Date 11/6/12
-2STATE
PRESIDENTIAL
PRIMARY
DATE
PRESIDENTIAL
CAUCUS DATE
FILING
DEADLINE FOR
PRIMARY
BALLOT ACCESS
INDEPENDENT 1
FILING DEADLINE
FOR GENERAL
ELECTION
Missouri 2/7 3/17 (Republicans) 11/22 7/30
Montana 6/5 3/12 8/15
Nebraska 5/15 3/7 9/1 (Independent)
Nevada 1/21 (Democrats)
2/4 (Republicans)
n/a 7/6 (Independent)
New Hampshire 1/10 10/28 9/5
New Jersey 6/5 4/2 7/30
New Mexico 6/5 3/16 6/26
New York 4/24 2/9 8/21 Independent
North Carolina 5/8 n/a 6/1 Third/Minor
6/29 Independent
North Dakota 3/6 (Republicans)
6/5 (Democrats) n/a 9/7 4pm
Northern Mariana
Islands 3/10 (Republicans) n/a n/a
Ohio 3/6 12/30 4pm 8/8 4pm
Oklahoma 3/6 12/7 7/15
Oregon 5/15 3/6 8/28
Pennsylvania 4/24 2/14 8/1
Puerto Rico 3/18 (Republicans)
6/3 (Democrats)
1/18 n/a
Rhode Island 4/24 1/21 9/7
South Carolina 1/21 (Republicans)
1/28 (Democrats)
11/1 7/16 Noon
(Independent)
South Dakota 6/5 3/27 8/7 (Independent)
Tennessee 3/6 12/6 Noon 8/16 Noon
(Independent)
Texas 5/29 3/9 6/29 (Independent)
Utah 6/26 3/13 (Democrats) 3/15 8/15
Vermont 3/6 1/9 6/14
Virginia 3/6 12/22 5pm 8/24 Noon
Virgin Islands 3/10 (Republicans)
6/3 (Democrats)
n/a n/a
Washington 3/3 (Republicans)
4/15 (Democrats) n/a
8/4
West Virginia 5/8 1/28 8/1
Wisconsin 4/3 1/31 5pm 8/7 5pm (Independent)
Wyoming 3/6-3/10 (Republicans)
4/14 (Democrats)
n/a 8/27 (Independent)
Notes:
1. The column Independent Filing Deadline shows the date for the filing of petitions by independent or third/minor party candidates. This is a
general reference date for use by the public and voters. Candidates and others seeking specific information should contact the states for other
deadlines that may need to be met. For example, the petitions may have to be checked by officials prior to this date. A declaration of
candidacy may be due before the petitions are due. New parties may have different deadlines.
2012 CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY DATES
AND CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES FOR BALLOT ACCESS
(Data as of 3/2/12)
Note: Dates Subject to Change / S Indicates Senate Election / General Election Date 11/6/12
-3STATE
CONGRESSIONAL
PRIMARY
DATE
CONGRESSIONAL
RUNOFF
DATE
FILING
DEADLINE FOR
PRIMARY
BALLOT ACCESS
INDEPENDENT 1
FILING DEADLINE
FOR GENERAL
ELECTION
Alabama 3/13 4/24 1/13 9/6 (Independent)
3/13 (Third/Minor)
Alaska 8/28 6/1 8/28 5pm
American
Samoa
n/a n/a 9/1 4:30pm
Arizona S 8/28 5/30 5pm 5/30 5pm
(Third/Minor)
9/7 5pm (Independent)
Arkansas 5/22 6/12 3/1 Noon 5/1 Noon
California S 6/5 3/9 n/a
Colorado 6/26 4/2 4/2 (Third/Minor)
6/4 3pm (Independent)
Connecticut S 8/142
6/122
8/8
Delaware S 9/11 7/10 Noon 9/4
D.C. 4/3 1/4 8/8
Florida S 8/14 6/8 5/7
Georgia 7/31 8/21 5/25 Noon 8/6 Noon
Guam 9/1 7/3 7/3
Hawaii S 8/11 6/5 4:30pm 6/5 4:30pm
Idaho 5/15 3/9 3/9
Illinois 3/20 12/27 6/25
Indiana S 5/83
2/10 Noon 7/16 Noon
Iowa 6/5 3/16 8/17
Kansas 8/74
6/1 or 6/114
8/6 Noon
(Independent)
6/1 or 6/114
(Third/Minor)
Kentucky 5/22 1/31 8/14
Louisiana n/a5
8/17 5pm 8/17 5pm
Maine S 6/12 3/15 5pm 6/1 5pm (Independent)
Maryland S 4/36
1/11 8/6
Massachusetts S 9/6 6/5 7/31
Michigan S 8/77
5/15 7/19 (Independent)
Minnesota S 8/14 6/5 6/5
Mississippi S 3/13 4/3 1/13 1/13
Missouri S 8/7 3/27 7/30
Montana S 6/5 3/12 3/5
Nebraska S 5/15 2/15 (Incumbents)
3/1 (All Others)
9/1 (Independent)
Nevada S 6/12 3/16 2/9 (Independent)
New Hampshire 9/11 6/15 9/5
New Jersey S 6/5 4/2 6/5
New Mexico S 6/5 3/20 6/26
New York S 6/26 4/16 8/21 (Independent)
2012 CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY DATES
AND CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINES FOR BALLOT ACCESS
(Data as of 3/2/12)
Note: Dates Subject to Change / S Indicates Senate Election / General Election Date 11/6/12
-4STATE
CONGRESSIONAL
PRIMARY
DATE
CONGRESSIONAL
RUNOFF
DATE
FILING
DEADLINE FOR
PRIMARY
BALLOT ACCESS
INDEPENDENT 1
FILING DEADLINE
FOR GENERAL
ELECTION
North Carolina 5/8 7/17 2/29 6/1 (Third/Minor)
6/29 (Independent)
North Dakota S 6/12 4/13 4pm 9/7 4pm
Northern
Mariana Islands
n/a n/a 8/8
Ohio S 3/6 12/30 4pm 3/5 4pm (Independent)
Oklahoma 6/26 8/28 4/13 3/1 (Third/Minor)
4/13 (Independent)
Oregon 5/158
3/6 8/28
Pennsylvania S 4/24 2/14 8/1
Puerto Rico 3/18 10/31 10/31
Rhode Island S 9/11 6/27 7/13
South Carolina 6/129
6/26 3/30 Noon 7/16 Noon
(Independent)
South Dakota 6/5 6/26 3/27 8/7 (Independent)
Tennessee S 8/2 4/5 Noon 4/5 Noon
Texas S 5/2910
7/31 3/910
6/29
Utah S 6/2611
3/15 3/15
Vermont S 8/28 6/14 6/14
Virginia S 6/1212
3/29 5pm 6/12 7pm
Virgin Islands 9/8 9/22 8/9 8/2
Washington S 8/7 5/18 n/a
West Virginia S 5/8 1/28 8/1
Wisconsin S 8/14 6/1 5pm 6/1 5pm
Wyoming S 8/21 6/1 8/27 (Independent)
Notes:
1. The column Independent Filing Deadline shows the date for the filing of petitions by independent or third/minor party candidates. This is a general reference
date for use by the public and voters. Candidates and others seeking specific information should contact the states for other deadlines that may need to be met.
For example, the petitions may have to be checked by officials prior to this date. A declaration of candidacy may be due before the petitions are due. New
parties may have different deadlines.
2. In Connecticut, conventions are held by the Democratic and Republican parties prior to the primary. The Democratic convention date for U.S. Senate is
5/12/12, and the Democratic convention date for U.S. House districts is 5/14/12. The Republican convention date for U.S. Senate and U.S. House is 5/18/12.
3. In Indiana, the Libertarian party convention date is 3/24/12.
4. In Kansas, the filing deadline is 6/1/12 if redistricting is completed on or before 5/10/12. Otherwise, the filing deadline is 6/11/12. The Libertarian party
convention date is 3/24/12. The Reform party convention date is pending.
5. In Louisiana, a Congressional primary election is not held. The election for candidates seeking Federal office is the General Election scheduled for 11/6/12. If
necessary, a Runoff Election will be held on 12/1/12.
6. In Maryland, the Libertarian party convention date is 3/3/12. The Green party convention date is pending.
7. In Michigan, the Libertarian party convention date is 6/2/12, the Green party convention date is 6/3/12 and the U.S. Taxpayers party convention date is 6/16/12.
The Natural Law party convention date is pending.
8. In Oregon, the Constitution, Independent Party, Libertarian, Oregon Progressive, Pacific Green, and Working Families parties may nominate by convention.
Convention dates are pending.
9. In South Carolina, the Working Families party convention date is 5/5/12. The Constitution, Green, Independence, Libertarian and United Citizens party
convention dates are pending.
10. In Texas, the Green and Libertarian parties may nominate by convention. The convention dates are 3/17/12 for single county U.S. House Districts 2, 3, 7, 16,
18, 20, 29 and 30; 3/24/12 for multi-county U.S. House Districts 1, 4-6, 8-15, 17, 19, 21-28, 31-36; and 6/9/12 for U.S. Senate.
11. In Utah, conventions are held by the political parties prior to the primary. The Constitution party convention date is 4/7/12. The convention date for the
Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties is 4/21/12.
12. In Virginia, parties may choose to nominate by convention rather than by primary election. Convention dates are pending.
2012 PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY DATES
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
(Data as of 3/2/12)
Note: Dates Subject to Change / S Indicates Senate Election / General Election Date 11/6/12
-5STATE
PRESIDENTIAL
PRIMARY
DATE
PRESIDENTIAL
CAUCUS DATE
STATE CONGRESSIONAL
PRIMARY
DATE
CONGRESSIONAL
RUNOFF
DATE
Iowa 1/3 S Ohio 3/6
New
Hampshire
1/10 Alabama 3/13 4/24
Nevada 1/21 (Democrats) S Mississippi 3/13 4/3
South Carolina 1/21 (Republicans) Puerto Rico 3/18
South Carolina 1/28 (Democrats) Illinois 3/20
Florida 1/31 D.C. 4/3
Maine 2/4-2/11
(Republicans)
S Maryland 4/31
Nevada 2/4 (Republicans) S Pennsylvania 4/24
Minnesota 2/7 S Indiana 5/81
Colorado 2/7 (Republicans) North Carolina 5/8 7/17
Missouri 2/7 S West Virginia 5/8
Arizona 2/28 Idaho 5/15
Michigan 2/28 S Nebraska 5/15
Washington 3/3 (Republicans) Oregon 5/151
Alaska 3/6 (Republicans) Arkansas 5/22 6/12
American
Samoa
3/6 (Democrats) Kentucky 5/22
Colorado 3/6 (Democrats) S Texas 5/291
7/31
Georgia 3/6 S California 6/5
Idaho 3/6 (Republicans) Iowa 6/5
Massachusetts 3/6 S Montana 6/5
North Dakota 3/6 (Republicans) S New Jersey 6/5
Ohio 3/6 S New Mexico 6/5
Oklahoma 3/6 South Dakota 6/5 6/26
Tennessee 3/6 S Maine 6/12
Vermont 3/6 S Nevada 6/12
Virginia 3/6 S North Dakota 6/12
Wyoming 3/6-3/10
(Republicans)
South Carolina 6/121
6/26
Hawaii 3/7 (Democrats) S Virginia 6/121
Guam 3/10 (Republicans) Colorado 6/26
Kansas 3/10 (Republicans) S New York 6/26
Northern
Mariana Islands 3/10 (Republicans)
Oklahoma
6/26 8/28
Virgin Islands 3/10 (Republicans) S Utah 6/261
Maine 3/11 (Democrats) Georgia 7/31 8/21
Alabama 3/13 S Tennessee 8/2
American
Samoa
3/13 (Republicans) Kansas 8/71
Hawaii 3/13 (Republicans) S Michigan 8/71
Mississippi 3/13 S Missouri 8/7
Utah 3/13 (Democrats) S Washington 8/7
Missouri 3/17 (Republicans) S Hawaii 8/11
Puerto Rico 3/18 (Republicans) S Connecticut 8/141
Illinois 3/20 S Florida 8/14
2012 PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY DATES
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
(Data as of 3/2/12)
Note: Dates Subject to Change / S Indicates Senate Election / General Election Date 11/6/12
-6STATE
PRESIDENTIAL
PRIMARY
DATE
PRESIDENTIAL
CAUCUS DATE
STATE CONGRESSIONAL
PRIMARY
DATE
CONGRESSIONAL
RUNOFF
DATE
Louisiana 3/24 S Minnesota 8/14
D.C. 4/3 S Wisconsin 8/14
Maryland 4/3 S Wyoming 8/21
Wisconsin 4/3 Alaska 8/28
Alaska 4/9-4/16
(Democrats)
S Arizona 8/28
Idaho 4/14 (Democrats) S Vermont 8/28
Kansas 4/14 (Democrats) Guam 9/1
Wyoming 4/14 (Democrats) S Massachusetts 9/6
Washington 4/15 (Democrats) Virgin Islands 9/8 9/22
Connecticut 4/24 S Delaware 9/11
Delaware 4/24 New
Hampshire 9/11
New York 4/24 S Rhode Island 9/11
Pennsylvania 4/24
Rhode Island 4/24
Guam 5/5 (Democrats)
Indiana 5/8
North Carolina 5/8
West Virginia 5/8
Nebraska 5/15
Oregon 5/15
Arkansas 5/22
Kentucky 5/22
Texas 5/29
Puerto Rico 6/3 (Democrats)
Virgin Islands 6/3 (Democrats)
California 6/5
Montana 6/5
New Jersey 6/5
New Mexico 6/5
North Dakota 6/5 (Democrats)
South Dakota 6/5
Utah 6/26
Notes:
1. In Connecticut and Utah, conventions are held by the political parties prior to the primary. In Virginia, parties may
choose to nominate by convention rather than by primary election. In other states, such as Indiana, Kansas, Maryland,
Michigan, Oregon, South Carolina, and Texas, minor parties may hold conventions to nominate candidates.
Sources: State Election Offices, Statutes, State Parties and News Articles
Compiled by: Public Disclosure Division, Office of Communications, Federal Election Commission
800/424-9530 (option 2), or 202/694-1120