2016 Democratic Party presidential candidates
This article contains lists of candidates associated with the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries for the 2016 United States presidential election. Major candidates. Individuals included in this section have taken one or more of the following actions: formally announced their candidacy, or filed as a candidate with Federal Election Commission (FEC) (for other than exploratory purposes), and were included in at least 5 independent national polls. Five of the major candidates were invited to participate in at least one Democratic Party-sanctioned debate: Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley, Bernie Sanders, and Jim Webb. Candidates  who won one or more contests. The following candidate won primaries and received delegates in most or all state primaries and caucuses. Major candidates who withdrew during the primaries. The following individual announced a major candidacy for president but withdrew at some point after the Iowa Caucuses. Major candidates who withdrew before the primaries. The following individuals announced what were recognized by the media as major candidacies for president but withdrew from the race after the first debate. Some received write-in votes. They are listed alphabetically. Other candidates. On the ballot in multiple states. The following notable individuals were  on the ballot in at least five states. In addition, the following other candidates were on the ballot in more than one state: "Sources: Illinois Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers" "Source: New Hampshire Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers" "Source: Rhode Island Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers" "Source: Texas Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers" "Source: West Virginia Democrat and Candidates from The Green Papers" Candidates not on any primary ballot. Over a thousand people sent the requisite paperwork to the Federal Election Commission declaring themselves candidates for President. Among them were the following  notable people: Alternate ballot options. Several primaries provided ballot options to voters to cast votes for "no preference" and/or "uncommitted". "No preference" received 45,331 votes (0.27% of the popular vote), and 'uncommitted' received 40,548 votes (0.24% of the popular vote), respectively placing them 4th and 5th in the popular vote. Potential candidates who did not run. Previous. The following people were the focus of presidential speculation in multiple media reports during the 2016 election cycle. Declined. Individuals listed in this section were the focus of media speculation as being possible 2016 presidential candidates but publicly, and unequivocally, ruled out a  presidential bid in 2016.