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Ballotpedia:Defining noteworthy presidential candidates (2024)
This article discusses Ballotpedia's approach to defining noteworthy candidates in the 2024 presidential election. More than 1,400 presidential candidates filed with the Federal Election Commission, and Ballotpedia used the following criteria throughout the election cycle to determine who is noteworthy:
These standards helped identify which candidates were viable to receive delegates throughout the primary process or win the Electoral College in the general election.
Candidates given the noteworthy designation received increased coverage, including the creation of a campaign overview page.
General election criteria
To be considered noteworthy in the general election, candidates had to appear on enough ballots—totaling at least 270 electoral votes—to win a majority of the Electoral College.
Candidates who raised at least $20 million through a principal campaign committee, demonstrated a likelihood of qualifying for the ballot in at least five battleground states, and received media coverage as a candidate who may influence the outcome of the presidential election were also considered noteworthy in the general election. A candidate had to fulfill all three of these criteria to be considered noteworthy.
Primary election criteria
Candidates had to meet at least one of the following criteria to be identified as noteworthy during the major party primary elections. A candidate may lose his or her noteworthy designation as the election proceeds.
Candidate credentials
Candidates who hold or formerly held elected office as a member of Congress, governor, state executive, state legislator, or mayor of a city with a population of 100,000 or more were considered noteworthy.
Polling
Candidates who met the polling criteria for at least one major party presidential primary debate were considered noteworthy.
Ballot access
Candidates who previously demonstrated the ability to file for 15 or more primary ballots were considered noteworthy.
Fundraising
To remain viable throughout the election, a candidate must be able to financially support campaign operations in a multi-state primary. Initial fundraising criteria followed guidelines for major party debate qualifications.
Media coverage
Candidates who were notable public figures and received significant amounts of media attention as a candidate with a chance of affecting the outcome of the nominating contest were considered noteworthy.
Activity on the campaign trail
If a candidate met any of the above criteria but has not campaigned outside of his or her home state in the past 30 days, the candidate might have lost his or her noteworthy status.
Noteworthy presidential candidates in the 2024 presidential election
The following candidates met these criteria in the 2024 general presidential election.
- Kamala Harris (D), vice president of the United States, announced her candidacy on July 21, 2024.[1]
- Donald Trump (R), former U.S. President, announced his candidacy on November 15, 2022.[2]
- Jill Stein (Green Party), the 2016 Green Party presidential nominee, announced her candidacy on November 9, 2023.[3]
- Chase Oliver (Libertarian Party), a candidate in the 2022 Georgia U.S. Senate race, announced his candidacy on April 4, 2023.[4]
External links
See also
- Ballotpedia: Defining noteworthy presidential candidates (2020)
- Ballotpedia: Our definition of candidacy
- Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
- Ballotpedia:Our approach to covering primary elections
- Ballotpedia's editorial independence policy
- Editorial approach to story selection for presidential election news events
Footnotes
