Introduction to the 2016 Presidential Race
The 2016 U.S. presidential election featured a wide field of candidates seeking their party’s nomination, culminating in the general-election contest between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. This guide organizes the major candidates, primary timelines, and ballot-access details into a clear, evergreen reference focused on verified information rather than moment‑by‑moment news. Below you’ll find structured explanations of each party’s nominees, notable third‑party campaigns, and a concise comparison of general‑election contenders and their paths to the ballot.
Major-Party Nominees: Democratic and Republican
The two principal nominees in the November 2016 general election were Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party’s nominee, and Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s nominee. Clinton secured the Democratic nomination after a competitive primary that included prominent rivals such as Bernie Sanders and former candidates like Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb, and Lincoln Chafee. Trump became the Republican nominee after defeating a large field in the GOP primaries, including Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, John Kasich, and Jeb Bush. Both candidates ultimately appeared on the general-election ballot in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, though third‑party and independent candidates also sought nationwide ballot access.
Democratic Primary Candidates
At its peak, the 2016 Democratic primary included several high-profile candidates. Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State, built a broad national campaign with substantial fundraising and institutional support. Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont, ran a grassroots‑funded campaign emphasizing income inequality and progressive policies. Other declared candidates included Jim Webb, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Navy; Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland; and Lincoln Chafee, former Governor of Rhode Island. Some candidates, such as Lawrence J. Cohen and Rocky De La Fuente, appeared on fewer state ballots but still participated in the primary discourse.
Republican Primary Candidates
The 2016 Republican primary featured a large and diverse field. Leading contenders included Donald Trump, businessman; Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas; Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida; John Kasich, Governor of Ohio; and Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida. Additional candidates such as Ben Carson, Rand Paul, Rick Santorum, and Lindsey Graham also sought the nomination, contributing to a wide policy debate across the party spectrum. In the end, Trump secured the nomination and went on to face Clinton in the general election.
General Election: Candidates on the National Ballot
In the November 8, 2016, general election, voters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia could choose among the major-party nominees and a slate of third‑party and independent candidates. On most statewide ballots, the options included Hillary Clinton (Democratic) and Donald Trump (Republican), along with additional tickets seeking sufficient signatures to qualify. The most prominent third‑party campaigns were led by Gary Johnson and Bill Weld (Libertarian), Jill Stein (Green), and Evan McMullin (an independent conservative slate in selected states). The table below summarizes key verified attributes of the three leading general‑election tickets that appeared on ballots in at least 30 states.
| Ticket | Presidential Candidate | Vice Presidential Candidate | Ballot Access Scope | Notable Ballot Status Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton / Kaine | Hillary Clinton | Tim Kaine | All 50 states + DC | Major party; automatic ballot placement in most states |
| Trump / Pence | Donald Trump | Mike Pence | All 50 states + DC | Major party; automatic ballot placement in most states |
| Johnson / Weld | Gary Johnson | Bill Weld | Ballots in 46–50 states + DC | Third party; required petitioning in some states |
| Stein / LaDuke | Jill Stein | Ajamu Baraka | Ballots in 45–50 states + DC | Third party; varied state qualification methods |
| McMullin / Lummis | Evan McMullin | Mindy Lubber | Ballots in 11–20 states | Independent slate; state‑specific signature campaigns |
Third‑Party and Independent Campaigns
Beyond the two major parties, several third‑party tickets sought to persuade enough voters to qualify for ballots across many states. The Libertarian Party nominated former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson for president and former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld for vice president; they achieved ballot access in a majority of states. The Green Party placed Jill Stein for president and Ajamu Baraka for vice president on ballots in most states, emphasizing environmental and social justice issues. Evan McMullin, an independent conservative candidate, led a slate focused on preventing a Trump victory in key states, though it qualified for ballots in a more limited set of jurisdictions. Other small‑party tickets, such as those representing Constitution Party and various write‑in efforts, had a presence in only a few states.
Ballot Access and Electoral Mechanics
Each state sets its own rules for ballot access, typically requiring a mix of petition signatures, party nomination, or a combination. In 2016, automatic placement applied to the Democratic and Republican tickets in most states, whereas third‑party tickets frequently needed to collect thousands of valid signatures within short filing windows. This partly explains why some third‑party campaigns appeared on fewer ballots. Write‑in candidacies, while allowed in many states, rarely meet the vote threshold to win electors, but they can still influence strategy and messaging. Understanding these mechanics helps explain why the candidate field appeared differently across states on election day.
Primary and General Timelines at a Glance
Key dates in the 2016 cycle framed the path from nomination battles to the general contest. Democratic and Republican primaries and caucuses began in February 2016 and extended into June, with party conventions formalizing nominations in July. The general election occurred on November 8, 2016, and the Electoral College met in December to finalize the presidential vote. For third‑party campaigns, the critical period spanned the spring and summer, when state parties and independent groups worked to gather and verify signatures to meet ballot deadlines. The table below captures these milestones and why they mattered for the overall race structure.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| February–June 2016 | State primaries and caucuses | Determined delegates and party nominees |
| July 18–21, 2016 | Democratic National Convention | Formally nominated Clinton and adopted platform |
| July 18–21, 2016 | Republican National Convention | Formally nominated Trump and adopted platform |
| September–October 2016 | Third‑party ballot qualification drives | Deadline-driven signature campaigns for November ballots |
| November 8, 2016 | General Election | Nationwide voting for president and electors |
| December 19, 2016 | Electoral College vote | Formal certification of the state-by-state results |
Key Takeaways and Comparisons
When comparing the major and third‑party candidacies of 2016, a few structural points stand out. First, the Democratic and Republican nominees enjoyed nationwide ballot access automatically, while third‑party tickets had to navigate complex state rules. Second, voter turnout and ballot placement varied by state, influencing which candidates appeared where. Third, while general‑election focus centered on Clinton versus Trump, third‑party campaigns aimed for strategic impact in swing states or on specific policy themes. The concise comparison below captures verified, evergreen attributes useful for understanding the race structure.
- Major‑party advantage: Automatic ballot placement in most jurisdictions.
- Third‑party hurdle: Signature and filing requirements that vary by state.
- Notable general‑election tickets: Clinton/Kaine, Trump/Pence, Johnson/Weld, Stein/Baraka, McMullin/Lummis.
- Ballot reach: Major tickets on all 50+ ballots; Libertarian and Green tickets on most; others on a subset.
- Write‑in option: Available in many states but rarely decisive for electoral votes.
Conclusion: A Structured View of 2016’s Presidential Field
Who was running for president in 2016 encompasses both the high‑profile nominees and a broader set of third‑party challengers who sought to influence the outcome within their states. By focusing on verified candidate attributes, ballot‑access timelines, and a clear comparison of general‑election contenders, this explanation remains relevant as a long‑term reference. The structure of that year’s race—automatic placement for the major parties and qualification hurdles for alternative tickets—shaped how voters encountered choices on election day and continues to inform how similar cycles are understood.