The Michigan Department of State yesterday released the 2016 presidential primary candidate list. The list is available online.
Under state law, the department is required to create a list of presidential candidates “generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates” for the Republican and Democratic parties for the presidential primary election.
The chairs of the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties now have until 4 p.m., Nov. 17, to add names of other candidates to the candidate list for their party. A candidate on the list who wishes to withdraw has until 4 p.m., Dec. 11, to notify the department that he or she is not a presidential candidate.
Candidates not placed on the list by the department or the party chairs may collect signatures to be placed on the ballot.
The Michigan presidential primary will be March 8, 2016. Besides the candidates listed on the ballot, voters also may choose “uncommitted” as an option. In addition to the presidential primary, residents in some communities also may be voting on local ballot proposals or for special elections to fill vacancies.
Voters will be able to view their March 8 sample ballot online closer to Election Day to review any other elections occurring that day.
