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Primary « New Hampshire
Presidential Primary Filing
Filing for the New Hampshire Primary
Filing for the New Hampshire primary ballot is a simple process. The candidate need only fill out a declaration of candidacy form and pay $1,000 (credit cards and personal checks not accepted). Fifty candidates filed during the 3-week filing period (37 in person, including two by representative and 13 by mail), consisting of 17 Republicans and 33 Democrats [PDF]. See NH Secretary of State.
New Hampshire Presidential Primary
In-Person Filing by Major Candidates
Wed. Oct. 30, 2019 - Fri. Nov. 15, 2019
Wed. Oct. 30, 2019 - Fri. Nov. 15, 2019
Sun. |
Mon. |
Tues. |
Wed. |
Thurs. |
Fri. |
Sat. |
1 |
30 |
31 |
30 Pete Buttigieg
|
31 Bernie Sanders
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 VP Pence for Donald Trump
M.Williamson John Delaney |
5 Tulsi Gabbard
|
6 Amy Klobuchar
Michael Bennet |
7 |
8 Andrew Yang
Joe Biden |
9 |
10 |
11 [Veteran's Day]
|
12 Steve Bullock
Tom Steyer |
13 Bill Weld
Elizabeth Warren |
14
Joe Walsh
Deval Patrick |
15 Cory Booker
|
For major candidates in person filings can create quite a spectacle. Supporters line the hallway leading to the Secretary of State's office, cameramen and photographers crowd the small office where the filling is to occur. Secretary Bill Gardner welcomes the candidate and relates some of the history of the primary. At a historical Bullock desk, backed by key supporters, the candidate fillls in his or her paperwork, presents the check and makes a few remarks. At the desk or in the back room he or she then fields questions from reporters. Oftentimes there is a rally outside. Most of the major candidates did in-person filings; exceptions were Julián Castro who mailed his in and Kamala Harris, who had a representative. Vice President Mike Pence filed President Trump. For Deval Patrick the filing marked the launch of his campaign. In contrast to the hoopla that greets major candidates, unknown and little known candidates stop in the office and file virtually unnoticed.
Not all filings are successful. Rob Webber, who some may recall from the 2016 NH primary as the "flower man," tried unsuccessfully to file first as "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself" and later using a different nickname. Secretary Gardner did not permit the filing as nicknames and slogans are not allowed. Webber had also tried to file in 2016. Also, one candidate filed by mail but then withdrew. In the event a candidate files but is subsequently challenged, the Ballot Law Commission can remove unqualified filers.
Note that Roque De La Fuente, father and son, will appear on the ballot. The father, gadfly candidate Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente filed in person as a Republican on the first day; the son filed by mail as a Democrat.
Finally a couple of non-filings bear mentioning. Former Gov. Mark Sanford had been scheduled to file on Friday Nov. 15, but ended his campaign earlier in the week. There was a lot of speculation about whether Mike Bloomberg would show up; he had filed in several other states, but did not file for New Hampshire.
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