10/8/2015 Important dales in the 2016 presidential race - Ballolpedia PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE This page tracks important dates throughout the 2016 presidential election cycle, including primaries, caucuses and conventions, filing deadlines and campaign finance reporting Contents [bliow] deadlines. Candidate registration and financial disclosure Federal candidacy registration The Federal Election Commission (FEC) requires those running for the U.S. House,Senate or presidency to file a Statement of Candidacy form within 15 days raising the first S5.00D in campaign funding. The Statement of Candidacy form allows a candidate's campaign committee to engage in fundraising and spending of the campaign funds. Within 10 days of the Statement of Candidacy submission, the Statement of Organization form must he submitted to the FEC.'1' Campaign finance disclosures Presidential candidates, like Congressional candidates, must file regular campaign finance disclosure reports, depending on the extent of the committee's fundraising, If the committee has raised or anticipates raising or spending a total of $100,000 by the end of a calendar year, the committee will file monthly campaign finance reports in the following year. If the committee does not raise, spend or anticipate raising or spending that much, they must only file quarterly reports lo the FEC.'2' Important campaign dates Iowa caucus The Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee chose to tentatively hold the Iowa caucus on February 1, 2016.'3' New Hampshire primary The DNC's proposed date for the New Hampshire primary was February 9, 2016J3' Democratic National Convention See also: Democratic National Convention, 2016 Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Commitlee (DNC), announced on February 12, 2015, that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will host the Convention during the week of July 25, 2016. I") According to the National Journal, the initial list of possible host cities (or the DNC were Birmingham, Alabama, Brooklyn,New York, Columbus, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Phoenix, Arizona.'5) Republican National Convention See also: Republican National Convention, 2016 The Republican National Committee (RNC) will hold the 2016 convention on July 18-21, 2016. "The convention will be held significantly earlier than previous election cycles, allowing access to crucial general election funds earlier than ever before to give our nominee a strong advantage heading into Election Day," Priebus said.'6' 2016 Presidential Election General Election Date Novembers, 2016 Declared candidates ^ Democratic Lincoln Chafee ■ Hillary Clinton 'Lawrence Lessig * Martin O'Malley »Berrie Sanders ■ Jim Webb Oemocratic Convention Democratic Primary ptj Republican Jeb Bush • Ben Carson ■ Chris Christie -Ted Cru2 ■ Cariy Fiorina • Jim Gilmore -Lindsay Graham • Mike Huckabeo 'Bobby Jindal • John Kaskh • George Pataki ■ RaticJ Paul' Marco Rubio * Rick Sanlorum • Donald Trump Republican Convention Republican Primary 2016 election coverage Presidential debates • Important campaign dates ' Polling ■ Candidates 'Ratings and scorecards * Straw polls -Election by stale State primary dates dala:lext/nlml;charset=utf-8,%3Cdlv%2Ctala^ 1/1 2016 Presidential Primaries and Caucuses for Elected National Convention Delegates by Filing Deadlines State Date Filing Deadline Primary/Caucus Type Democratic* Republican** South Carolina February 20, 2016 September 30, 2015 Republican Primary Open 31 Arkansas March 1, 2016 November 9, 2015 Primary Open 32 22 Texas March 1, 2016 November 10, 2015 Primary Open 208 118 Louisiana March 5, 2016 November 20, 2015 Primary Closed 54 28 New Hampshire February 9, 2016 November 27, 2015 Primary Mixed 24 16 Illinois March 15, 2016 November 30, 2015 Primary Open 160 64 Tennessee March 1, 2016 December 1,2015 Primary Open 68 37 Oklahoma March 1, 2016 December 2, 2015 Primary Closed 38 25 South Carolina February 27, 2016 December 7, 2015 Democratic Primary Open 51 Idaho March 8, 2016 December 9, 2015 Republican Primary Closed 16 Florida March 15, 2016 December 15, 2015 Primary Closed 207 91 Virginia March 1, 2016 December 17, 2015 Primary Open 95 43 Michigan March 8, 2016 December 20, 2015 Primary Closed 133 52 North Carolina March 15, 2016 December 29, 2015 Primary Mixed 107 49 Missouri March 15, 2016 December 30, 2015 Primary Open 15 34 Nevada February 20, 2016 January 1, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 31 Georgia March 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 Primary Open 98 52 Massachusetts March 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 Primary Mixed 95 37 Ohio March 15, 2016 January 2, 2016 Primary Mixed 148 58 Minnesota March 1, 2016 January 4, 2016 Caucus Open 78 34 Vermont March 1, 2016 January 4, 2016 Primary Open 15 13 Alabama March 1, 2016 January 6, 2016 Primary Open 52 31 Kentucky March 5, 2016 January 7, 2016 Republican Caucus Closed 28 Hawaii March 26, 2016 January 8, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 22 Nevada February 23, 2016 January 9, 2016 Republican Caucus Closed 22 Colorado March 1, 2016 January 9, 2016 Caucus Closed 64 31 Mississippi March 8, 2016 January 9, 2016 Primary Open 36 22 Iowa February 1, 2016 January 22, 2016 Caucus Closed 46 22 Rhode Island April 26, 2016 January 23, 2016 Primary Mixed 22 16 Kentucky May 17, 2016 January 26, 2016 Primary Closed 47 28 Alaska March 26, 2016 January 29, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 14 Kansas March 5, 2016 January 30, 2016 Caucus Closed 33 22 West Virginia May 10, 2015 January 30, 2016 Primary Mixed 26 19 Alaska March 1, 2016 January 31, 2016 Republican Mixed Closed 13 Nebraska March 5, 2016 February 1, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 26 Wisconsin April 5, 2016 February 2, 2016 Primary Open 79 34 Arizona March 22, 2016 February 3, 2016 Primary Open 63 37 Maryland April 26, 2016 February 3, 2016 Primary Closed 78 34 Utah March 22, 2016 February 5, 2016 Caucus Closed 24 22 Indiana May 3, 2016 February 5, 2016 Primary Open 70 37 Hawaii March 8, 2016 February 16, 2016 Republican Caucus Closed 16 Pennsylvania April 26, 2016 February 16, 2016 Primary Closed 160 64 Maine March 6, 2016 February 21, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 25 Nebraska May 10, 2016 February 25, 2016 Republican Primary Closed 19 Washington March 26, 2016 February 26, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 86 Delaware April 26, 2016 February 26, 2016 Primary Closed 17 13 New York April 19, 2016 March 1, 2016 Primary Closed 233 91 Connecticut April 26, 2016 March 7, 2016 Primary Closed 51 25 Montana June 7, 2016 March 7, 2016 Primary Open 15 13 Oregon May 17, 2016 March 8, 2916 Primary Closed 52 25 Wyoming April 9, 2016 March 10, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 13 Idaho March 22, 2016 March 14, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 20 Washington, DC June 14, 2016 March 15, 2016 Primary Closed 17 IG New Mexico June 7, 2016 March 17, 2016 Primary Closed 29 19 California June 7, 2016 March 25, 2016 Primary Closed 405 169 South Dakota June 7, 2016 March 29, 201 Primary Closed 15 13 New Jersey June 7, 2016 April 4, 2016 Primary Mixed 110 46 North Dakota June 7, 2016 May 2, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 14 Maine March 5, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 16 North Dakota March 1, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 6 Wyoming March 1, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 13 Washington March 5, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 40 American Samoa March 8, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Open 6 Guam March 12, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 6 Northern Marianas March 12, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Closed 6 6 Virgin Islands March 12, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Open 6 Puerto Rico March 13, 2016 TBD Republican Primary Open 20 Northern Marianas March 15, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 6 Guam May 7, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Closed 6 Puerto Rico June 5, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Open 51 Virgin Islands June 5, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Open 6 American Samoa March 1, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Open 6 6 3696 1898 TBD = To Be Determined Democratic Republican December 30, 2015 1,192 (32%) 626 (22%) January 9,2016 1,831(50%) 954(33%) 2016 Presidential Primaries and Caucuses for Elected National Convention Delegates by Contest Date State Date Filing Deadline Primarv/Caucus Tvpe Democratic* Republican** Iowa February 1, 2016 January 22, 2016 Caucus Closed 46 22 New Hampshire February 9, 2016 November 27, 2015 Primary Mixed 24 16 Nevada February 20, 2016 January 1, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 31 South Carolina February 20, 2016 September 30, 2015 Republican Primary Open 31 Nevada February 23, 2016 January 9, 2016 Republican Caucus Closed 22 South Carolina February 27, 2016 December?, 2015 Democratic Primary Open 51 Alabama March 1, 2016 January 6, 2016 Primary Open 52 31 Alaska March 1, 2016 January 31, 2016 Republican Mixed Closed 13 American Samoa March 1, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Open 6 6 Arkansas March 1, 2016 November 9, 2015 Primary Open 32 22 Colorado March 1, 2016 January 9, 2016 Caucus Closed 64 31 Georgia March 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 Primary Open 98 52 Massachusetts March 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 Primary Mixed 95 37 Minnesota March 1, 2016 January 4, 2016 Caucus Open 78 34 North Dakota March 1, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 6 Oklahoma March 1, 2016 December 2, 2015 Primary Closed 38 25 Tennessee March 1, 2016 December 1, 2015 Primary Open 68 37 Texas March 1, 2016 November 10, 2015 Primary Open 208 118 Vermont March 1, 2016 January 4, 2016 Primary Open 15 13 Virginia March 1, 2016 December 17, 2015 Primary Open 95 43 Wyoming March 1, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 13 Kentucky March 5, 2016 January 7, 2016 Republican Caucus Closed 28 Kansas March 5, 2016 January 30, 2016 Caucus Closed 33 22 Louisiana March 5, 2016 November 20, 2015 Primary Closed 54 28 Maine March 5, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 16 Nebraska March 5, 2016 February 1, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 26 Washington March 5, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 40 Maine March 6, 2016 February 21, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 25 American Samoa March 8, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Open 6 Hawaii March 8, 2016 February 16, 2016 Republican Caucus Closed 16 Idaho March 8, 2016 December 9, 2015 Republican Primary Closed 16 Michigan March 8, 2016 December 20, 2015 Primary Closed 133 52 Mississippi March 8, 2016 January 9, 2016 Primary Open 36 22 Guam March 12,2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 6 Northern Marianas March 12, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Closed 6 6 Virgin Islands March 12, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Open 6 Puerto Rico March 13, 2016 TBD Republican Primary Open 20 Florida March 15, 2016 December 15, 2015 Primary Closed 207 91 Illinois March 15, 2016 November 30, 2015 Primary Open 160 64 Missouri March 15, 2016 December 30, 2015 Primary Open 15 34 North Carolina March 15, 2016 December 29, 2015 Primary Mixed 107 49 Northern Marianas March 15, 2016 TBD Republican Caucus Closed 6 Ohio March 15, 2016 January 2, 2016 Primary Mixed 148 58 Arizona March 22, 2016 February 3, 2016 Primary Open 63 37 Idaho March 22, 2016 March 14, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 20 Utah March 22, 2016 February 5, 2016 Caucus Closed 24 22 Alaska March 26, 2016 January 29, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 14 Hawaii March 26, 2016 January 8, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 22 Washington March 26, 2016 February 26, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 86 Wisconsin April 5, 2016 February 2, 2016 Primary Open 79 Wyoming April 9, 2016 March 10, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 13 New York April 19, 2016 March 1, 2016 Primary Closed 233 91 Connecticut April 26, 2016 March 7, 2016 Primary Closed 51 25 Delaware April 26, 2016 February 26, 2016 Primary Closed 17 13 Maryland April 26, 2016 February 3, 2016 Primary Closed 78 34 Pennsylvania April 26, 2016 February 16, 2016 Primary Closed 160 64 Rhode Island April 26, 2016 January 23, 2016 Primary Mixed 22 16 Indiana May 3, 2016 February 5, 2016 Primary Open 70 37 Guam May 7, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Closed 6 Nebraska May 10, 2016 February 25, 2016 Republican Primary Closed 19 West Virginia May 10, 2015 January 30, 2016 Primary Mixed 26 19 Kentucky May 17, 2016 January 26, 2016 Primary Closed 47 28 Oregon May 17, 2016 March 8, 2916 Primary Closed 52 25 Puerto Rico June 5, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Open 51 Virgin Islands Junes, 2016 TBD Democratic Caucus Open 6 California June 7, 2016 March 25, 2016 Primary Closed 405 169 Montana June 7, 2016 March 7, 2016 Primary Open 15 13 New Jersey June 7, 2016 April 4, 2016 Primary Mixed 110 46 New Mexico June 7, 2016 March 17, 2016 Primary Closed 29 19 North Dakota June 7, 2016 May 2, 2016 Democratic Caucus Closed 14 South Dakota June 7, 2016 March 29, 201 Primary Closed 15 13 District of Columbia June 14, 2016 March 15, 2016 Primary Closed 17 16 Total 3696 1898 Sources: Important dates in the 2016 presidential race - Ballotpedia (accessed October 17, 2016); http://ballotpedia.org/important dates in the 2016 presidential race Kyle Kondik and Geoffrey Skelley, Sabato's Crystal Ball (accessed October 17, 2015); http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crvstalball/articles/the-real-presidential-deadlines/ *The Green Papers: Democratic Detailed Delegate Allocation - 2016 (accessed October 17, 2015) http://thegreenpapers.com/P16/D-Alloc.phtml **The Green Papers: Republican Detailed Delegate Allocation - 2016 (accessed October 17, 2015) http://theRreenpapers.coni/P16/R-Alloc.phtml Democratic National Convention Delegates = 4,483; Republican National Convention Delegates = 2,470 Democrats Republicans l-Mar-2016 1,001(22%) 572 (23%) 5-Mar-2016 1,114(25%) 706 (29%) 8-Mar-2016 1,308 (29%) 818 (33%) 15-Mar-2016 1,951(44%) 1,158(47%) 26-Mar-2016 2,180 (49%) 1,217 (49%) Estimated Allocation Sorted Alphabetically Rank (sort) State Pledged Delegate Votes Unpledged Delegate Votes ised) Total Delegate Votes District Delegate Votes At* Largo Dologato Votes PIH) Delegate Votes (sort) Total Pledged Delegate Votes DNC Mombors Senate House Governor Distinguished Party Leaders tsm Total Unpledged Delegate Votes 1 Alabama 34 11 7 52 5 1 6 58 2 Alaska 9 3 2 14 4 4 18 3 American Samoa 6 6 4 4 10 4 Arizona 41 14 8 63 8 4 12 75 5 Arkansas 21 7 4 32 5 5 37 .6 Ssllfemla 264 88 53 405 29 2 39 1 71 476 7 CelofarJo 42 14 8 64 7 1 3 1 1 13 77 8 Connetfwt 33 11 7 51 5 2 5 1 1 14 65 9 Dslsasa 11 4 2 17 5 2 1 1 1 10 27 » Democrats Abroad 12 1 13 4 4 17 11 äsHdofCcJumWa 11 4 2 17 16 2 1 1 20 37 12 Rorlda 135 45 27 207 19 1 10 1 31 238 13 Georola 64 21 13 98 9 4 1 14 112 14 Guam 6 6 4 1 5 11 15 Hawaii 14 5 3 22 4 2 2 1 9 31 16 Idaho 13 4 3 20 4 4 24 17 Illinois 104 35 21 160 19 1 9 1 30 190 18 Indiana 46 15 9 70 6 1 2 9 79 19 Iowa 30 10 6 46 7 1 8 54 20. Kansas 22 7 4 33 4 4 37 21 Kentucky 31 10 6 47 4 1 1 6 53 22 Louisiana 35 12 7 54 6 1 7 61 23 Maine 17 5 3 25 4 1 5 30 The District (16.5 rounded to 17) and At-Large (5.5 rounded to 5) rounding was done to favor the District Delegates. 24 Maryland 51 17 10 78 17 2 7 1 27 105 25 Mresachusetts 62 21 12 95 12 2 9 3 26 121 26 Mchloan 87 29 17 133 12 2 5 19 152 27 Mnnesota 51 17 10 78 7 2 5 1 1 16 94 28 Msslssipoi 23 8 5 36 4 1 5 41 29 Mssouri 49 16 10 75 B 1 2 1 1 13 88 30 Mwtana 10 3 2 15 5 1 1 7 22 31 Nebraska. 17 6 3 26 4 1 5 31 32 Nevada 20 7 4 31 6 1 1 8 39 33 " New Hampshire 16 5 3 24 5 1 1 1 8 32 34 New Jersey 72 24 14 110 8 2 6 16 126 35 NawMadoo 19 6 4 29 4 2 2 1 9 38 36 New York 152 51 30 233 21 2 18 1 2 44 277 37 North Carolina 70 23 14 107 10 3 13 120 38 North Dakota 9 3 2 14 4 1 5 19 39 Northern Marianas 6 6 4 1 5 11 40 Chlo 97 32 19 148 11 1 4 1 17 165 41 CMahoma 25 8 5 38 4 4 42 42 34 11 7 52 5 2 4 1 12 64 ; 43 Penns%tvania 104 35 21 160 13 1 5 1 1 21 181 44 Puerto Rico 33 11 7 51 5 1 1 7 58 45 Rhode Island 14 5 3 22 4 2 2 1 9 31 46 South Carolina 33 11 7 51 5 1 6 57 47 South Dakota 10 3 2 15 4 1 5 20 48 Tennessee 44 15 9 6B 6 2 1 9 77 49 Texas 136 45 27 208 18 11 29 237 50 Unassianed 1 1 1 51 Utah 16 5 3 24 4 4 28 52 Vermont 10 3 2 15 4 1 1 1 1 8 23 53 Uratn Islands 6 6 4 1 5 11 54 Virginia 62 21 12 95 11 2 3 1 17 112 55 Wsshlnaton 56 19 11 86 7 2 6 1 16 102 56 WastVlralnla 17 6 3 26 7 1 1 9 35 57 Wsconsln 52 17 10 79 6 1 3 10 89 58 Warning a 3 2 13 4 4 17 Totals 2436 847 486 3,769 436 46 192 20 20 714 4/83 Republican detailed delegate Allocation - 2016 Sorted Alphabetically Rank (sort) State Bectrxal Party Leaders Bonus Delegates issrj) Pre-Po natty SubTotal Penalty ism Total Dologatos At-Large Delegates District Delegates President Governor US. Senate US. Houso One Chamber Al Chambers (Sort) Total Bonus 1 Alabama 10 21 3 10 1 2 1 1 1 16 50 50 2 Alaska 10 3 3 7 2 1 1 1 12 28 28 3 American Samoa 6 3 9 9 4 10 27 3 12 1 2 1 1 1 18 58 58 5 10 12 3 9 1 2 1 1 1 15 40 40 6 California 10 159 3 172 172 1 Crioraüo 10 21 3 1 1 1 3 37 37 8 eonheetfcut 10 15 3 28 28 9 Delaware 10 3 3 16 16 10 District of Columbia 16 3 19 19 11 Florida 10 81 3 1 1 1 1 1 5 99 99 12 Georgia 10 42 3 15 1 2 1 1 1 21 76 76 13: Guam 6 3 9 9 14 Hawaii 10 6 3 19 19 15 Idaho 10 6 3 7 1 2 1 1 1 13 32 32 16 Illinois 10 54 3 1 1 2 69 69 17 Indiana 10 27 3 12 1 1 1 1 1 17 57 57 18 Iowa 10 12 3 1 2 1 1 5 30 30 19 Kansas 10 12 3 9 1 2 1 1 1 15 40 40 20 Kentucky 10 18 3 10 2 1 1 14 45 45 21 Louisiana 10 18 3 10 2 1 1 1 15 46 46 22 Mains. 10 6 3 1 1 1 1 4 23 23 23 Maryland 10 24 3 1 1 38 38 24 Massachusetts 10 27 3 1 1 2 42 42 25 Mchtaan 10 42 3 1 1 1 1 4 59 59 26 Minnesota 10 24 3 1 1 38 38 27 Mssisslcpl 10 12 3 9 2 1 1 1 14 39 39 28 Mssourl 10 24 3 11 1 1 1 1 15 52 52 29 rvtarrlana 10 3 3 7 1 1 1 1 11 27 27 30 Nebraska. 10 9 3 8 1 2 1 1 1 14 36 36 31 Nevada 10 12 3 1 1 1 1 1 5 30 30 32 NewHamoshfre 10 6 3 1 1 1 1 4 23 23 33 New Jersey 10 36 3 1 1 2 51 51 34 NewMawoo 10 9 3 1 1 2 24 24 35 New York 10 81 3 1 1 95 95 36 North Carolina 10 39 3 14 1 2 1 1 1 20 72 72 37 North Dakota 10 3 3 7 1 1 1 1 1 12 28 28 38 Northern Marianas 6 3 9 9 39 Ohio 10 48 3 1 1 1 1 1 S 66 66 40 Oklahoma 10 1S 3 9 1 2 1 1 1 15 43 43 41 Oregon 10 15 3 28 28 42 Pennsylvania 10 54 3 1 1 1 1 4 71 71 43 Puerto Rico 20 3 23 23 44 Rhode Island 10 6 3 19 19 45 South Carolina 10 21 3 10 1 2 1 1 1 16 50 50 46 South Dakota 10 3 3 7 1 2 1 1 1 13 29 29 47 Tennessee 10 27 3 12 1 2 1 1 1 18 58 58 48 Texas 10 103 3 28 1 2 1 1 1 34 155 155 49 yiah 10 12 3 9 1 2 1 1 1 15 40 40 50 Vfermont 10 3 3 16 16 51 Virgin Islands 6 3 9 9 52 Virginia 10 33 3 1 1 1 3 49 49 53 Washington 10 30 3 1 1 44 44 54 Wfest Virginia 10 9 3 8 1 1 1 1 12 34 34 55 Wsconsln 10 24 3 1 1 1 1 1 5 42 42 56 Womlna 10 3 3 7 1 2 1 1 1 13 29 29 Totals 560 1,305 168 247 29 55 36 39 31 437 2,470 2^470 Rank State At-Large Delegates District Delegates Party Leaders President Governor US. Senate US. House One Chamber All Chambers Total Bonus Pre-Po natty SubTotal Penalty Total Dologatos Bonus delegate detail Bonus delegates are awarded to states who olect Republican Senators, Republican President Hectors, Republican Governors, Republican U.S. House* Msmbers, and PorutWir-onrwitmilcH ctelA I fwiiclah irac Republican National Committee Primaries The RNC overhauled some of its rules leading into the 2016 presidential primary following what party leaders and strategists saw as a primary campaign that lasted too long, lowering 2012 candidate Mitt Romney's chances of winning in the general election. The committee voted in January 2014, by a vote of 153-9, to move the convention from the end of August, when it was held last year, to as much as two months earlier at the end of June. The 2016 convention will be held July 18-21, 2016. In order to accomplish such a change, new penalties were introduced to encourage states to hold their campaign events earlier in the year. Additionally, the system of awarding delegates in primaries was changed for primaries held before March 14,2016. The new rules stated that no primary held before March 14 could award delegates based on the "winner-take-all" system, instead the delegates were to be distributed in proportion to each candidate's support in order to stop any candidate from essentially winning the nomination in early March 2016. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus explained the reasoning, stating, "We have been saying for months that we were no longer going to sit around and allow ourselves to slice and dice our nominee for six months.''^8) Debates Another strategy implemented by the RNC was lowering the number of primary debates from the 20 that took place in 2012. Those familiar with the discussions claimed the new number of Republican debates would be between six and ten, with the intention of having each of the major television networks carry at least one of the debates. The RNC also discussed the idea of adding conservatives to the panels of moderators, potentially resulting in less fiery debates with easier questions, an idea that the networks were open to working with. The final change to debates was aimed at discouraging non-sanctioned debates, by barring candidates participating in them from being a part of the sanctioned debates. While big name candidates would not likely be impacted by the change, it would potentially make it harder for lesser known candidates to break through.^ References 1. t Federal Election Commission, "Quick Answers to Candidate Questions," accessed June 12,2014 2. | Federal Section Commission, "FEC Record: Reporting," accessed June 12,2014 3. t3,011 Politico, "DNC proposes 2016 Iowa caucus date," May 2, 2014 4. t Yahoo News, "Democrats settle on Philadelphia as site of 2016 convention," February 12,2015 5. t National Journal, "Handicapping the Democratic Convention Sites for 2016," July 25,2014 6. t Cleveland.com, "Dates set for Republican National Convention in Cleveland; 4-day event will run July 18-21," January 14,2015 7. t Politico, "Republican National Committee easily passes 2016 calendar tweaks," January 24,2014 8. t Politico, "Republicans brace for 2016 free-for-all," October 7,2014 9. t Politico, "RNC clamps down on 2016 primary debates," May 9, 2014