Michigan’s presidential primary ballot will begin to shape up this week.
Michigan’s Republican and Democratic presidential primaries are March 8.
But who gets a spot on the ballot? Hundreds of people are running for president of the United States. Of course, you’ve heard of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. But how about John Blyth or Mike Diggs?
By the end of this week, the Michigan Secretary of State’s office will announce the list of Republicans and Democrats whose names will be on the March primary ballot.
A spokesman says the department bases its decision on the people the national news media identifies as “candidates.” Most likely that means on the Democratic side, former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, current Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will make the cut. As will many top Republicans, including businessman Donald Trump, neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, among others.
But there may still be a few presidential hopefuls left off the ballot.
The state parties have the option to add names next week. Spokespersons for both parties say they’ll have to wait and see who’s on and off the Secretary of State’s list.
Anyone left off both lists can still get on the ballot, but they’ll have to collect more than 10,000 signatures by the middle of December.
