The petition deadline for candidates running in the District of Columbia presidential primary is January 4, 2012. Republicans need 296 signatures (1% of the number of registered Republicans). Only registered Republicans can sign. The only Republican presidential candidates who have even taken out blank petition forms are Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, and Mitt Romney. Only Romney has turned in any signatures so far.

In 2008, Fred Thompson took out blank petition forms in D.C., but he did not submit any signatures. The only Republicans who qualified in 2008 in D.C. were John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Rudy Giuliani. In 2008, the Republican primary required 298 valid signatures.

In the 2012 season, the only Green who has taken out petition forms for the Green presidential primary is Jill Stein. She needs 41 signatures.