By Jim Ellis
Feb. 16, 2018 — Seven states have already set their candidate slate for the coming primary election season. When March ends, more than half the country (28 states) will have followed suit. For the first time, a state will hold a Wednesday primary (Rhode Island, Sept. 12), and two will vote on a Thursday (Tennessee, Aug. 2; Delaware, Sept. 6).
Below is the full candidate filing deadline calendar:
CLOSED
1. Illinois – December 4; Primary: March 20
2. Texas – December 11; Primary: March 6; Run-off: May 22
3. West Virginia – January 27; Primary: May 8
4. Kentucky – January 30; Primary: May 22
5. Ohio – February 7; Primary: May 8
6. Indiana – February 9: Primary: May 8
7. Alabama – February 9; Primary: June 5; Run-off: July 17
FEB. 27
• Maryland – Primary: June 26
FEB. 28
• North Carolina – Primary: May 8; Run-off (if no candidate receives 40%): July 18
MARCH 1
• Nebraska – Primary: May 15
• Arkansas – Primary: May 22; Run-off: June 19
• Mississippi – Primary: June 5; Run-off: June 26
MARCH 6
• Oregon – Primary: May 15
MARCH 9
• Idaho – Primary: May 15
• Georgia – Primary: May 22; Run-off: July 24 – Federal General Run-off: Jan 8
• California – Primary: June 5
MARCH 12
• Montana – Primary: June 5
MARCH 13
• New Mexico – Primary: June 5
MARCH 15
• Maine – Primary: June 12
• Utah – Primary: June 26
MARCH 16
• Iowa – Primary: June 5 (State convention if no one reaches 35%)
• Nevada – Primary: June 12
MARCH 20
• Pennsylvania – Primary: May 15
• Colorado – Primary: June 26
MARCH 27
• South Dakota – Primary: June 5
• Missouri – Primary: August 7
MARCH 29
• Virginia – Primary: June 12 (Districts may scheduled individual conventions)
MARCH 30
• South Carolina – Primary: June 12; Run-off: June 26
APRIL 2
• New Jersey – Primary: June 5
APRIL 5
• Tennessee – Primary: August 2
APRIL 9
• North Dakota – Primary: June 12
APRIL 12
• New York – Primary: June 26
APRIL 13
• Oklahoma – Primary: June 26; Run-off: August 28
APRIL 24
• Michigan – Primary: August 7
MAY 4
• Florida – Primary: August 28
MAY 18
• Washington – Primary: August 7
MAY 30
• Arizona – Primary: August 28
MAY 31
• Vermont – Primary: August 14
JUNE 1
• Kansas – Primary: August 7
• Wisconsin – Primary: August 14
• Alaska – Primary: August 21
• Wyoming – Primary: August 21
JUNE 5
• Hawaii – Primary: August 11
• Minnesota – Primary: August 14
• Massachusetts – Primary: September 4
JUNE 12
• Connecticut – Primary: August 14
JUNE 15
• New Hampshire – Primary: September 11
JUNE 27
• Rhode Island – Primary: September 12
JULY 10
• Delaware – Primary: September 6
JULY 20
• Louisiana – Primary: November 6: Run-off: December 8
