Candidates need 500 signatures to appear on the Delaware presidential primary, unless they appear to have qualified for primary season matching funds. The signatures were due on December 10.

Bill Richardson did not file any Delaware signatures, and has not tried to qualify for primary season matching funds, so he won’t be on the Democratic ballot.

Democrats who did file 500 signatures, or who have been certified for primary season matching funds, or who are waiting to see if they are certified for matching funds, are Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich, and Obama. Since Kucinich did not submit signatures and has not yet been certified for primary season matching funds, he will not appear unless the FEC certifies him by December 19.

Republicans who did file 500 signatures, or who are certified for matching funds, are Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain, Paul, Romney, Tancredo, and Thompson. Fred Thompson filed his signatures 5 minutes before the deadline. If any petition is found to be insufficient, Delaware gives the candidates time to get more signatures.

The qualified minor parties of Delaware are entitled to their own presidential primary (even though they don’t nominate by primary for other office). However, there has never been a minor party presidential primary in Delaware, because no minor party candidate has ever been able to collect the 500 signatures. Only registered party members can sign these petitions, and typically Delaware’s qualified minor parties only have between 350 and 750 registered members. Also Delaware won’t hold a presidential primary for any party unless there are at least two candidates in that primary.