Ballotpedia's 2012 congressional election coverage plan
From Ballotpedia
Welcome to Ballotpedia’s one-stop source for information about the 2012 Congressional elections. On this page you can find comprehensive, unbiased coverage of candidates and elections, including links to every state’s general election page on Ballotpedia and unique election reporting.
If you have any questions about congressional elections please contact Geoff Pallay.
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Our coverage
We will be covering elections in the 435 U.S. House seats as well as the 33 U.S. Senate races. Additionally, Ballotpedia will build pages on any special elections that occur in 2012.
Our candidate pages
There are two types of candidates: current officials who are running for office and new candidates who do not currently hold an office we cover on Ballotpedia. For all candidates we strive to provide you, our reader, with the following information:
- Clear biographical information, including education
- Who the candidates is running against and when the elections will be held
- Photo of the candidate
- Campaign themes
- Campaign logos
- Links to their campaign website, Facebook candidate pages, and Twitter accounts (where available)
- Election results
Signature filing deadlines
Each state sets the deadline for when candidates must declare for election. Once the filing deadline passes, the state will verify signatures and issue an official list of candidates document. The timing of a document like this varies for each state. Some states will immediately release a document that is an unofficial list of candidates -- meaning it could contain some candidates who ultimately may either withdraw or be disqualified prior to the primary. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff will be adding links to these lists and adding names of candidates to election pages within 1-2 weeks of the list being released. Profiles will then be built for the final list of candidates.
However, in other situations, states do not release any compiled list of candidates until weeks or even months have elapsed past the deadline. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff will work to build as many candidates profiles based on news reports and direct contact with candidates.
Primary elections
Ballotpedia staff will be playing particularly close attention to primaries that are contested -- meaning at least two candidates are seeking a party nomination. Profiles will be built and expanded in advance of the state primary.
As each primary takes place, Ballotpedia staff will be indicating the winners and losers within 24 hours of the primary. Candidates who defeat an opponent in a primary will then have an election box added to the profile.
- Example: Mark Frechette
Following the primary, the elections page will be updated to indicate which candidates will appear in the general election. The timing of the results will vary by state.
General election
On election night, Ballotpedia staff will update election pages with check marks (
) to indicate the winner of the race.
Original analysis
Throughout this presidential election season, Ballotpedia staff will create analysis pages regarding the congressional races. For example:
- List of candidates running. This page will display every single candidate who appears on a primary election ballot.
- List of congressional challengers. This page will display all non-incumbents running for election to Congress.
- Incumbents not running for re-election. This page will display all congressional incumbents who are not seeking re-election.
U.S. House Elections
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
U.S. Senate Elections
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
| 2012 Congressional Primary Information |
|---|
| State | Signature Filing Deadline | Primary Date | Notes/Costs for candidates | Days between Deadline and Primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1/13/2012 | 3/13/2012 | Candidates for House must submit signatures equal to at least 3% of the votes for the office of Governor in the last general election in the district the candidate is running. Candidates for Senate must submit signatures equal to at least 3% of the votes for the office of Governor in the last general election.[1] | 60 |
| Alaska | 6/1/2012 | 8/28/2012 | Candidates must pay a $100 Filing Fee.[2] | 88 |
| Arizona | 5/30/2012 | 8/28/2012 | Signature Requirements Vary by District [3] | 90 |
| Arkansas | 3/1/2012 | 5/22/2012 | 82 | |
| California | 3/9/2012 | 6/5/2012 | Filing Fee equal to 1% of the first year's salary, $1,740. [4] | 88 |
| Colorado | 4/2/2012 | 6/26/2012 | Major Party Candidates for Senate are required to have 1,500 signatures per congressional district. Minor Party Candidates for Senate are required to have 1,000 signatures or signatures equal to 2% of votes, whichever is less. Major Party Candidates for the House are required to have 1,000 signatures, or 30% of the votes, whichever is less. Minor Party Candidates for House are required to have 800 signatures or 2% of votes, whichever is less.[5] | 85 |
| Connecticut | 6/12/2012 | 8/14/2012 | Signature requirements must be equal to either 1% of the votes cast for the same office in the last election, or 7,500 signatures, whichever is less [6] | 158 |
| Delaware | 7/10/2012 | 9/11/2012 | The filing fee amount is set by the candidate's political party and is payable to the candidate's political party. There is no filing fee for Independent candidates.[7] | 63 |
| Florida | 6/8/2012 | 8/14/2012 | Major Political Party Candidates must pay a filing fee of $10,440 and Candidates without a party must pay a filing fee of $6,960. Senate Candidates must submit 112,174 signatures, and House candidates must submit 2,298 signatures.[8] | 67 |
| Georgia | 5/25/2012 | 7/31/2012 | Candidates must pay a filing fee of $5,220, 3% of the annual salary of $174,000. [9] | 67 |
| Hawaii | 6/5/2012 | 8/11/2012 | Filing Fees vary with Office sought. Signature requirements range from 15-25 signatures depending on office.[10] | 67 |
| Idaho | 3/9/2012 | 5/15/2012 | Candidates are required to pay a $300 fee and file 500 signatures from with the congressional district.[11] | 67 |
| Illinois | 12/27/2011 | 3/20/2012 | Major Party Candidates are required to submit 600 signatures. Independent and New Party Candidates are required to submit 5,000 signatures. [12] | 84 |
| Indiana | 2/10/2012 | 5/8/2012 | Candidates for Senate must submit at least 4,500 signatures, with 500 signatures from each of the 9 congressional districts.Independent candidates for Senate must submit signatures equal to 2% of the votes cast in the previous election for Secretary of State, or 34,194. Candidate for House that are independent or minor party candidates must obtain signatures from registered voters equal to 2% of the total votes cast for
secretary of state in the 2010 general election in the election district the candidate seeks to represent. [13] |
74 |
| Iowa | 3/16/2012 | 6/5/2012 | No Filing Fees. Signature Requirements will be based on 2010 voting results, and will vary when new 2011 Redistrict Law goes into effect. [14] | 81 |
| Kansas | 6/11/2012 | 8/7/2012 | Major Party Candidates for Senate must submit signatures equal to 1% of Party and a filing fee of 1% of Salary ($1,740) + $20. Candidates for House are required to submit signatures equal to 2% of Party and a filing fee equal to 1% of Salary ($1,740) + $20. Independent Candidates for both the House and Senate are required to submit 5,000 signatures and a filing fee of 1% of Salary ($1,740) +$20.[15] | 67 |
| Kentucky | 2/7/2012[16][17] [18] | 5/22/2012 [19] | Candidates for both Senate and House are required to submit a $500 Filing Fee.[20] | 112 |
| Louisiana | 8/17/2012 | 11/6/2012 | Candidates for Senate and House must pay a $600 Qualifying Fee and Democratic and Republican Candidates must also pay a $300 State Central Committee Fee. Candidates for Senate may submit nominating petitions in lieu of fees with 5,000 signatures, with no less than 500 signatures from each congressional district. Candidates for House may submit nominating petitions in lieu of fees with 1,000 signatures. [21] | 81 |
| Maine | 3/15/2012 | 6/12/2012 | Major Party Candidates for House are required to submit 1,000-1,500 signatures. Major party candidates for Senate are required to submit 2,000-3,000 signatures. Non-Party Candidates for Senate are required to submit 4,000-6,000 signatures. Non-party candidates for House are required to submit 2,000-3,000 signatures. [22] | 89 |
| Maryland | 1/11/2012 | 4/3/2012 | Filing Fee Varies with Office Sought [23] Candidates for House must pay a $100 filing fee. Candidates for Senate must pay a $290 filing fee.[24] | 83 |
| Massachusetts | 6/5/2012 | 9/6/2012 | Candidates for House must submit at least 2,000 signatures. [25][26] Candidates for Senate must submit at least 10,000 signatures.[25] | 105 |
| Michigan | 5/15/2012 | 8/7/2012 | Partisan Candidates must submit at least 1,000 valid signatures by 5/11/2012. Independent Candidates must submit at least 3,000 valid signatures by 5/11/2012.[27] | 84 |
| Minnesota | 6/5/2012 | 8/14/2012 | Major party candidates must submit a $400 Filing Fee for Senate and a $300 Filing Fee for House. In place of the filing fee, candidates may submit 2,000 signatures for Senate and 1,000 signatures for House. A candidate not running as a member of a major political party must file a nominating petition to have his or her name placed on the general election ballot, with 2,000 signatures required for Senate and 1,000 signatures required for House. Independent candidates have the option of paying the filing fee instead of submitting signatures. [28] | 70 |
| Mississippi | 1/13/2011 | 3/13/2012 | Major party candidates for Senate must submit a $300 filing fee, and candidates for House must submit a $200 filing fee. Independent candidates must submit 1,000 signatures for Senate and 200 signatures for House. [29] | 60 |
| Missouri | 3/27/2012 | 8/7/2012 | Candidates for Senate must submit a $200 filing fee. Candidates for House must submit a $100 filing fee. [30] | 133 |
| Montana | 3/12/2012 | 6/5/2012 | Candidates for both Senate and House must submit a $1,740 filing fee. [31] | 85 |
| Nebraska | 3/1/2012 | 5/15/2012 | Candidates for Senate and House must pay a filing fee of $1,740. [32] | 75 |
| Nevada | 3/16/2012 | 6/12/2012 | Candidates for Senate must submit a $500 filing fee. Candidates for House must submit a $300 filing fee. [33] | 88 |
| New Hampshire | 6/15/2012 | 9/11/2012 | Major party candidates for Senate must submit $100 filing fee or 200 signatures. Major party candidates for House must submit a $50 filing fee or 100 signatures. Independent candidates for Senate must submit $100 AND 1,500 signatures for EACH district (3,000 signatures total). Independent candidates for House must submit a $50 filing fee AND 1,500 signatures. [34] | 88 |
| New Jersey | 4/2/2012[35] | 6/5/2012 | Major party candidates for Senate must submit 1,000 signatures and major party candidates for House must submit 200 signatures. [36] | 140 |
| New Mexico | 3/20/2012 | 6/5/2012 | Candidates for both Senate and House must submit a $50 filing fee. Signature requirements vary with a 2% and 4% threshold and depending on political party and office.[37] | 112 |
| New York | 4/16/2012 | 6/26/2012[38][39] | Major party candidates for either Senate or House must submit signatures equal to 5% of the enrolled voters of the political unit, or 1,250 signatures, whichever is less. Independent candidates for Senate or House must submit 5% of enrolled voters of the political unit, or 3,500 signatures, whichever is less. [40] | 71 |
| North Carolina | 2/29/2012 | 5/8/2012 | Candidates must pay a $1,740 filing fee. [41] | 69 |
| North Dakota | 4/13/2012 | 6/12/2012 | Signature requirement are equal to 3% of the total votes cast for the candidates of the same party for the same office in the last general election. (No more than 300 signatures required) [42] | 60 |
| Ohio | 12/7/2011 | 3/6/2012 | Candidates for Senate must pay a $150 filing fee. Major party candidates must submit at least 1,000 signatures, minor party candidates 500 signatures, and independent party candidates at least 5,000 signatures. Candidates for House must pay a $85 filing fee. Major party candidates must submit at least 50 signatures and minor party candidates at least 25 signatures. Independent candidates have signature requirements based on the number of votes cast in the congressional district in the last general election for governor. If there were fewer than 5,000 votes in the last election, the signature requirement would be 25 signatures, or 5% of the vote, whichever is less. If there were more than 5,000 votes in the last election, the signature requirement would be 1% of the vote. [43] | 90 |
| Oklahoma | 4/13/2012 | 6/26/2012[44] | 74 | |
| Oregon | 3/6/2012 | 5/15/2012 | Senate candidates must pay $150 filing and to be included in the Voters Pamphlet submit 500 verified signatures or $3,000. House candidates must pay $100 filing fee and to be in included in the Voters Pamphlet submit 300 verified signatures or $2,500. [45] | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | 2/14/2012 | 4/24/2012 | Candidates for Senate must pay a $200 filing fee and submit at least 2,000 signatures. Candidates for House must pay a $150 filing fee and submit at least 1,000 signatures. [46] | 70 |
| Rhode Island | 6/27/2012 | 9/11/2012 | Candidates must submit 500 signatures. [47] | 70 |
| South Carolina | 3/30/2012 | 6/12/2012 [48] | Major party candidates for Senate must pay $10,440 filing fee, to be paid by party. Major party candidates for House must pay $3,480 filing fee, to be paid by party.[49] | 74 |
| South Dakota | 3/27/2012 | 6/5/2012 | Republican candidates for Senate and House are required to submit 1,951 signatures, equal to 1% of the votes for the 2010 republican gubernatorial candidate, 195,406. Democratic candidates for Senate and House are required to submit 1,221 signatures, equal to 1% of the 2010 democratic gubernatorial candidates, 122,037. Independent candidates for Senate and House are required to submit 3,171 signatures, equal to 1% of the total votes for governor in 2010, 317,083. Newly Recognized Political Party candidates for Senate and House must submit 250 signatures. Candidates for Senate and House forming a new political party must submit $7,928 signatures, equal to 2.5% of the total vote for governor in 2010, 317,083. [50] | 70 |
| Tennessee | 4/5/2012 | 8/2/2012 | A nominating petition with at least 25 signatures from voters from the candidate's district. [51] | 119 |
| Texas | 3/9/2011 | 5/29/2012 | Candidates for Senate must pay a filing fee of $5,000 or submit 5,000 signatures. Candidates for House must pay a filing fee of $3,125 or 500 signatures. Independent candidates for Senate must submit signatures equal to 1% of votes for gubernatorial candidates cast in applicable territory in 2010 general election. Independent candidates for House must submit signatures equal to 5% of votes for gubernatorial candidates cast in the applicable territory in the 2010 general election. [52] | 81 |
| Utah | 3/15/2012 | 6/26/2012 | Candidates for Senate must pay filing fee of $1,305. Candidates for House must pay filing fee of $435.[53] | 102 |
| Vermont | 6/14/2012 | 8/28/2012 | Candidates for both Senate and House, both major and minor parties, must submit 500 signatures. [54] | 75 |
| Virginia | 3/29/2012 | 6/12/2012 | Candidates for House must pay a $3,480 filing fee and submit at least 1,000 signatures. [55] | 75 |
| Washington | 5/18/2012 | 8/7/2012 | Candidates for both Senate and House must submit a filing fee of $1,740. [56] | 81 |
| West Virginia | 1/28/2012 | 5/8/2012 | Candidates for both Senate and House must submit a filing fee of $1,740. [57] | 101 |
| Wisconsin | 6/1/2012 | 8/14/2012 | Candidates for Senate must submit 2,000-4,000 signatures. Candidates for House must submit 1,000-2,000 signatures. [58] | 74 |
| Wyoming | 6/1/2012 | 8/21/2012 | New party candidates and Independent candidates for both Senate and House are required to submit 3,740 signatures.[59] | 81 |
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