U.S. President Donald Trump and former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speak during the first presidential debate on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. Morry Gash-Pool/Getty Images
On Monday Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released a list of potential presidential candidates for the 2024 primary.
Under state law the Secretary of State is required to issue a list of individuals “generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates” for the Republican and Democratic parties for the presidential primary election.
In her list, Benson included President Joe Biden, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and author Marianne Williamson as potential candidates for the Democratic nomination.
She also included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former President Donald Trump as potential candidates for the Republican nomination.
“Two months ago, I made clear that under Michigan law, anyone generally advocated by the national news media to be a candidate for the Republican or Democratic nomination for president is listed on the ballot for the February 2024 primary unless a court rules otherwise,” Benson said in a statement.
“Accordingly, today, as required by statute, we are publicly posting the names of the candidates who qualify under Michigan law to be listed on the ballot as a candidate for president in their respective party’s primary. Barring a court order, these candidates will be included on Michigan’s presidential primary ballot in 2024 unless they withdraw their names from consideration,” Benson said.
Lawsuits have been filed to keep Trump off the ballot in Michigan.
Michigan Democratic and Republican Party chairs will have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to add other candidates’ names to their party’s list. Candidates who wish to switch their party designation or withdraw from the election will have until 4 p.m. Dec. 8 to notify the Bureau of Elections.
Candidates who are not named by the Secretary of State or the party chairs may gain access to the ballot if they file a nominating petition with the Secretary of State by 4 p.m. Dec. 8.
Michigan’s presidential primary election will be Feb. 27, 2024. The deadline for ballots to be sent to military and overseas voters is Jan. 13, 2024, and absent voter ballots must be printed by Jan. 18, 2024.
