ATLANTA — The sample presidential primary ballots are out and despite the fact that there are only two prominent Republican candidates still in the race, the ballots voters will cast in March will have many more names.
The two major candidates left competing in the GOP primary include former President Donald Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Several others have already suspended their campaigns.
Last November, when the names of Republican candidates running for president were submitted to Secretary of States Office, the list was much longer. The Republicans State Executive Committee submitted 11 names to be on the primary ballot. And even though there are two prominent candidates left, all 11 will appear on the March ballot.
“Both parties have to submit the names, well in advance of the actual primary usually will advance voting starting,” Jason Shepherd said, a Kennesaw State Political Science professor.
However, in a Nov. 16 email to the state Republican Party, a representative from the Secretary of State's Office wrote that they had "identified at least two candidates who have already announced their withdrawal from the presidential race. Please advise whether the names of withdrawn candidates can be excluded."
The letter went on the say that, “The more names that appear on the ballot, the greater the risk that the ballot will appear crowded and unclear to voters." The representative expressed concern that "the issue increases the likelihood that voters will mistakenly vote for a candidate who has withdrawn, leading to possible disenfranchisement of Republican voters."
But, that same day the party replied, "They would be moving forward with the list voted on by our State Executive Committee." And, while unlikely, Shepherd said the candidates who left the race still have the option to come back.
“They are still, in theory, in contention and can at any time unsuspend their campaign if there is an opportunity. My advice to any voter whether it’s the presidential preference primary or the general election -- research the candidates, know what they stand for, know who’s in, and make that that informed decision,” Shepherd said.
A political strategist said having more people on the ballot could be beneficial Trump, as his voters tend to be very loyal. This could mean the other candidates listed will end up splitting the vote. There is also the possibility that some people will vote for suspended candidates out of protest.