State GOP Sets Requirements For Presidential Primary Candidates

September 28, 2015

Florida Republicans approved a new rule laying out requirements for GOP presidential candidates to appear on next year’s presidential primary ballot.

The rule, approved by the Republican Party of Florida’s executive board in a 35-1 vote early Friday, would give candidates three options if they want to participate in the state’s winner-take-all GOP primary in March.

Under the new rule, candidates can show up at the state party’s “Sunshine Summit” in November, pay a $25,000 fee before November 23 or gather petition signatures from 3,375 registered Republican voters, including at least 125 registered Republicans from each of the state’s 27 congressional districts.

“The Republican Party of Florida finds it necessary for Republican presidential candidates to make a preliminary showing of substantial support in order to qualify for a place on the presidential preference primary ballot,” the rule’s prelude reads.

State Chairman Blaise Ingoglia originally wanted to require all the GOP candidates to attend the fall event to have their names on the ballot. But Ingoglia’s proposal drew harsh criticism from many of his Republican colleagues. The modified rule, which was floated a day before Friday’s executive board’s vote, “gives clear options to candidates while empowering the grassroots of our great party,” Ingoglia said in a statement.

by The News Service of Florida

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News