2016 Political Advertising Calendar
2016 PRIMARIES, RUNOFFS, AND START DATES FOR LOWEST UNIT CHARGE (LUC)
Disclaimer: Some states are still in the process of setting up primary election dates for next year. These pages contain a combination of preliminary, unofficial, and estimated data. The information posted here is subject to change – we'll update them periodically as new or confirmed information becomes available. Broadcasters are advised to consult with their local and state election officials to verify all election dates.
LOWEST UNIT CHARGE: During the 45 days prior to a primary and the 60 days prior to a general election (the pre-election window), all candidates to whom broadcast time is sold are entitled to the lowest unit charge of the station for the class, amount of time, and time period they wish to purchase
THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTION DATE IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8.
THE LUC WINDOW FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION OPENS ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016.
| STATE | STATEWIDE PRIMARY/CAUCUS DATES | LUC OPENS |
| Alabama | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Alaska | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
| Arizona | Primary, Tuesday, 03.22.16 | Saturday, 02.06.16 |
| Arkansas | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| California | Primary, Tuesday, 06.07.16 | Saturday, 04.23.16 |
| Colorado | Caucuses, Tuesday, 02.02.16 | Saturday, 12.19.15 |
| Connecticut | Primary, Tuesday, 04.26.16 | Saturday, 03.12.16 |
| Delaware | Primary, Tuesday, 04.26.16 | Saturday, 03.12.16 |
| District of Columbia | Primary, Tuesday, 06.14.16 Democrats Only |
Saturday, 04.30.16 |
| Florida | Primary, Tuesday, 03.15.16 | Saturday, 01.30.16 |
| Georgia | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Hawaii | Republican Caucuses, Tuesday, 03.08.16 | Saturday, 01.23.16 |
| Idaho | Primary, Tuesday, 03.08.16 | Saturday, 01.23.16 |
| Illinois | Primary, Tuesday, 03.15.16 | Saturday, 01.30.16 |
| Indiana | Primary, Tuesday, 05.03.16 | Saturday, 03.19.16 |
| Iowa | Precinct Caucuses, Monday, 02.01.16 | Friday, 12.18.15 |
| Kansas | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
| Kentucky | Primary, Tuesday, 05.17.16 | Saturday, 04.02.16 |
| Louisiana | Primary, Saturday, 03.05.16 | Wednesday, 01.20.16 |
| Maine | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
| Maryland | Primary, Tuesday, 04.26.16 | Saturday, 03.12.16 |
| Massachusetts | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Michigan | Primary, Tuesday, 03.08.16 | Saturday, 01.23.16 |
| Minnesota | Caucuses, Tuesday, 02.02.16 | Saturday, 12.19.15 |
| Mississippi | Primary, Tuesday, 03.08.16 | Saturday, 01.23.16 |
| Missouri | Primary, Tuesday, 03.15.16 | Saturday, 01.30.16 |
| Montana | Primary, Tuesday, 06.07.16 | Saturday, 04.23.16 |
| Nebraska | Primary, Tuesday, 05.10.16 | Saturday, 03.26.16 |
| Nevada | Primary, Tuesday, 02.23.16 TENTATIVE | Saturday, 01.09.16 TENTATIVE |
| New Hampshire | Saturday, 02.09.16 TENTATIVE | Saturday, 12.26.15 TENTATIVE |
| New Jersey | Primary, Tuesday, 06.07.16 | Saturday, 04.23.16 |
| New Mexico | Primary, Tuesday, 06.07.16 | Saturday, 04.23.16 |
| New York | Primary, Tuesday, 04.19.16 | Saturday, 03.05.16 |
| North Carolina | Primary, Tuesday, 03.15.16 TENTATIVE | Saturday, 01.30.16 TENTATIVE |
| North Dakota | Democratic Caucuses, Tuesday, 06.07.16 TENTATIVE | TENTATIVE |
| North Dakota | Republican Caucuses, To Be Determined | Saturday, 04.23.16 |
| Ohio | Primary, Tuesday, 03.08.16 | Saturday, 01.23.16 |
| Oklahoma | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Oregon | Primary, Tuesday, 05.17.16 | Saturday, 04.02.16 |
| Pennsylvania | Primary, Tuesday, 04.26.16 | Saturday, 03.12.16 |
| Puerto Rico | Sunday, 03.13.16 | Thursday, 01.28.16 |
| Rhode Island | Primary, Tuesday, 04.26.16 | Saturday, 03.12.16 |
| South Carolina | Primary, Saturday, 02.27.16 | Wednesday, 01.13.16 |
| South Dakota | Primary, Tuesday, 06.07.16 | Saturday, 04.23.16 |
| Tennessee | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Texas | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Utah | Primary, Tuesday, 02.02.16 | Saturday, 12.19.15 |
| Vermont | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Virginia | Primary, Tuesday, 03.01.16 | Saturday, 01.16.16 |
| Washington | Primary, Tuesday, 0524.16 | Saturday, 04.09.16 |
| West Virginia | Primary, Tuesday, 05.10.16 | Saturday, 03.26.16 |
| Wisconsin | Primary, Tuesday, 04.05.16 | Thursday, 02.25.16 |
| Wyoming | To Be Determined | To Be Determined |
