Kent Mesplay

The 2016 Green Party presidential primaries were a series of primaries, caucuses and state conventions in which voters elected delegates to represent a candidate for the Green Party's nominee for President of the United States at the 2016 Green National Convention. The primaries, held in numerous states on various dates from January to July 2016, featured elections publicly funded and held as an alternative ballot, concurrent with the Democratic and Republican primaries, and elections privately funded by the Green Party, held non-concurrently with the major party primaries. Over 400 delegates to the Green National Convention were elected in these primaries, with a candidate needing a simple majority of these delegates to become the party's nominee for president.
A total of six candidates stood in the primaries, including the preceding Green nominee for president in the 2012 presidential election, Jill Stein, who sought the nomination for a second time. Other candidates included Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza Curry, who had previously worked as a campaign manager for the presidential campaign of the Green Party's 2008 nominee, Cynthia McKinney, in addition to singer-songwriter and Earth First! activist Darryl Cherney, perennial candidate Kent Mesplay, University of South Carolina professor William Kreml, and seventeen-year-old Elijah Manley. Stein had a lead in the popular vote and delegate count.
Formal recognition is a requirement to be the Green Party's nominee. On May 4, the Green Party of the United States formally recognized William Kreml and Jill Stein as candidates for its presidential nomination. On June 15, the Stein campaign announced that it had received 203 delegates, enough to win the nomination on the first ballot at the National Convention. Jill Stein formally won the nomination on August 6, during the 2016 Green National Convention

Jill Stein speaks at an Occupy Wall Street demonstration in September 2012, during her campaign for the presidency as the Green Party's nominee.

The 2016 United States presidential election will be the fourth to be contested by the Green Party of the United States since they split from the Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA) in 2001. The 2004 presidential election saw Green nominee David Cobb appear on ballots in 27 states plus the District of Columbia, and received 0.10% of the popular vote, losing out to many other candidates and parties on the ballot, including third-placed independent Ralph Nader, who had been the presidential nominee of the G/GPUSA in the 1996 and 2000 elections. In the 2008 election, Cynthia McKinney was nominated as the Green Party's candidate for the presidency and had ballot access to 32 states plus DC. However, McKinney insignificantly improved upon Cobb's performance, capturing only 0.12% of the popular vote in an election that also saw Nader finish a strong third behind the Democratic and Republican parties.

Having received minimal publicity in the previous elections, thus contributing to the low voting share that the party received, the Green Party gained significant exposure and media attention in the lead-up to the 2012 Green National Convention and the 2012 presidential election, starting with media personality Roseanne Barr's announcement of her presidential run with the Green Party. Using the publicity gained from the announcement, Barr praised the Green Party and championed their beliefs through interviews and public statements, which were often profane and harshly critical of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Barr, however, lost the nomination at the 2012 Green National Convention to physician and activist Jill Stein, who had gained the support of Green Party delegates through her "Green New Deal" platform of progressive economic policies centered on the prevention of future financial crisises and the acceleration of global warming. Stein's campaign for the presidency focused mostly on keeping the publicity gained by the Green Party and gaining support from independents and dissenting Democratic and Republican voters, often echoing resentment towards the two parties. This included a court challenge against the Commission on Presidential Debates by Stein that sought to include her in the official presidential election debates. Stein's campaign also gained media attention and exposure through a series of nonviolent protests, including those against the presidential debates, the Keystone XL pipeline, and foreclosures, which had Stein arrested, and even jailed, numerous times.

On election day, Stein oversaw a relatively sharp rise in the Green Party's popularity, earning 0.36% of the popular vote (469,628 votes), across the Green Party's ballot access in 36 states plus DC. The result was triple the amount Cynthia McKinney received in 2008, pushing the Green Party from a lower-tier third party to the second most popular third party, trailing behind the Libertarian Party, who had nominated the popular former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson as their presidential candidate, also setting numerous Libertarian Party and presidential third party records. The election also notably made Stein the most successful female presidential candidate in U.S. history, surpassing Lenora Fulani's bid for the presidency in the 1988 election, with the New Alliance Party, who had ballot access in all states plus DC and earned 217,219 votes that year. Despite her success, however, Stein's campaign was criticized by those who felt that she had failed to capitalise on her momentum and gain an even bigger success.

The national Green Party of the United States officially recognized two candidates, Jill Stein and William Kreml, while four additional candidates have appeared on several state—or territory—ballots.

Candidate		Most recent position	Campaign	Projected Delegates	Delegations with plurality
Candidates formally recognized by GPUS
Jill Stein		Lexington Town Meeting member (2005–2011)	(Campaign • Endorsements • Website)	269.5 / 402 (67%)	34 AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI IL, IA, LGC, LA, MA, MI, MS, MD, ME, MN, MO, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, YGC
William Kreml		Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of South Carolina	Endorsed Jill Stein (Website)	18.5 / 402 (4.52%)	1 SC
Other candidates
Sedinam Curry		People's National Convention organizer	(Website)	13 / 402 (3.48%)	None
Elijah Manley		Chapter President of the National Youth Rights Association, Florida State Director of the Alliance Against Corporal Punishment (2015–Present)	Endorsed Jill Stein (Website)	10 / 402 (2.49%)	None
Darryl Cherney		Earth First! organizer (1980–present)	Endorsed Jill Stein (Website)	7 / 402 (2.24%)	None
Kent Mesplay		Inspector at the Air Pollution Control District of San Diego County (2001–2015)	(Website)	6 / 402 (1.74%)	None
Alternate ballot options
No preference/ Uncommitted/ Other		N/A		10 / 402 (2.49%)	None

Illinois primary

The Illinois Green Party primary was held between January 25 and February 17. Green Party members could vote online or could cast ballots at select caucus locations. Jill Stein won by a landslide with 86.9% of the vote.

Massachusetts primary

The Massachusetts primary took place on March 1. Five candidates appeared on the ballot. Members of the party could apply to be delegates to be sent to the national convention until March 10 (over a week after the primary). The number of voters that took part in the election slightly increased from the 1,554 that took part in the 2012 primary.

County results of the Massachusetts Green presidential primaries, 2016.

  Jill Stein

Town results of the Massachusetts Green presidential primaries, 2016.

  Jill Stein

  Sedinam Curry

  Darryl Cherney

  Kent Mesplay

  William Kreml

  No Votes

Minnesota caucuses

The Green Party of Minnesota held caucuses on March 1 in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Bemidji, White Bear Lake, Blaine, Grand Rapids, and Willmar. Jill Stein won the caucuses with 84.3% of the vote. The delegates apportioned to each candidate will be decided at the state convention in St. Cloud, Minnesota in June. The results of the caucuses are as follows:

Maine caucuses

Maine held a series of caucuses throughout the state between February 27 and March 19. The Maine Green Independent Party compiled the results and assign delegates at the state convention on May 7.

On March 13, 2016 it was announced that Jill Stein had won the Maine Green Independent Party Caucuses. On May 7, the party announced Stein would receive 9 delegates, Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza Curry would receive one, and the remaining delegate would be uncommitted.

Arizona primary

The Arizona Green Party held its primary on March 22. Jill Stein won with 79.1% of the vote, and the overall number of voters that took place in the primary saw a 54% increase, from 573 in 2012 to 880 in 2016. Only two candidates qualified for the primary:

County results of the Arizona Green presidential primaries, 2016.

  Jill Stein

  Kent Mesplay

  No votes

Delaware Convention

On April 2, 2016 the Green Party of Delaware announced that all four of its delegates will support Jill Stein at the national convention.

Virginia primary

The Virginia Green Party held its primary from March 20 through April 3. Party members were able to vote online through an email ballot or through the mail. On April 13, it was announced that Jill Stein had won with 76% of the vote. The state's four delegates were apportioned at the May 28 state meeting.

Colorado convention

On April 3, the Green Party of Colorado held a presidential nominating convention in Centennial, Colorado for registered Green voters.

On April 4, the Green Party of Colorado announced that Jill Stein had won the convention and received all 5 delegates.

Ohio convention

The Green Party of Ohio participated in the March 15 primaries in Ohio, though they did not hold their presidential primary during the event. Instead, delegates to the Green National Convention were awarded based on presidential preference through a nominating convention in Columbus on April 3. Members of the Green Party of Ohio were able to vote in the convention.

Young Greens Caucus

The Green Party allows each of its Identity Caucuses to hold a presidential preference vote and award two delegates to the candidate that wins. The Young Greens Caucus, representing registered Greens below the age of 36, held an online vote from March 28 to April 5. Jill Stein won with 91.7% of the vote, her largest threshold of victory of the primary election so far, and was awarded both of the delegates representing the Young Greens.

Texas conventions

The Texas Green Party held its elections at conventions at the precinct level on March 8, the county level on March 12, and the district level on March 19, leading up to the state nominating convention in Grey Forest, Texas on April 9 and 10.

On April 10 it was announced Jill Stein had won the convention.

Wisconsin convention

The Wisconsin Green Party held its presidential preference vote at its annual state convention in Madison, Wisconsin on April 16.

New Jersey convention

The New Jersey Green Party held their state convention, including their presidential preference vote, on April 17. Jill Stein won all five delegates.

Pennsylvania caucuses

Pennsylvania held 11 caucuses starting on April 2 and culminating with the quarterly state meeting on April 30 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where votes were totaled and delegates were selected.

Connecticut convention

On April 30, the Green Party of Connecticut held its state convention. All registered CT Green Party members were eligible to vote. On May 3 it was announced that Jill Stein won.

Missouri convention

On April 30, it was announced that Jill Stein will receive all four of the Missouri Green Party's delegates.

New Mexico convention

New Mexico held a presidential preference election at their state convention on April 30.

South Carolina convention

On April 17, the Green Party of South Carolina held its state convention. Green Party members and delegates were eligible to vote. On April 30, it was announced that William Kreml had won the primary.

Washington convention

This state's Green Party state convention was on May 15. Ballots were emailed to members within a week after the convention.

Mississippi caucuses and conventions

On May 7, the Green Party of Mississippi held precinct caucuses and county conventions. On May 21, the party held conventions in each of the state's congressional districts, leading to the state convention on the same day.

Oregon

This state's Green Party held its convention on April 17 and its presidential preference vote on May 21. On May 22, it was announced that Jill Stein had won the preference vote.

In addition, the Independent Party of Oregon held its own presidential primary that consisted solely of a write-in option. Stein received 20 write-ins during that party's primary.

Rhode Island convention

The Green Party of Rhode Island held a meeting on May 21, 2016 in Warwick, Rhode Island to decide who their 4 delegates to the national convention will support.

On May 24, it was announced that Jill Stein would receive all four of this states delegates.

Hawaii

This state's Green Party held its convention on May 21 and its presidential preference vote on May 28.

Lavender Greens Caucus

The Lavender Greens, an Identity Caucus within the Green Party dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) members, announced on June 1 that it was holding a discussion among its members over which candidate(s) will receive its two delegates. The caucus released a questionnaire filled out by candidates and directed members to a listserv where they could discuss and vote for the candidate of their choice. The caucus announced that the discussion/voting would last two weeks.

Jill Stein won this presidential preference vote, and received both of the delegates.

Georgia convention

On June 4, the Georgia Green Party held its state convention and presidential preference vote.

Tennessee Convention

The Tennessee Green Party presidential preference vote took place on June 4 at the TNGP's state convention.

California primary

The California Green Party primary took place on June 7 with five candidates on the ballot. Jill Stein won the California primary.

The California Peace and Freedom Party had asked for Jill Stein to also be listed on its presidential primary ballot, but the California Secretary of State left her off of their ballot and refused to release internal documents on the decision.

County results of the California Green presidential primary, 2016.

  Jill Stein

  No votes

New York convention

The Green Party of New York State held a state nominating convention on June 11 in Troy, New York to allow members to vote for their preferred presidential candidate. Green Party members unable to attend the convention were able to vote absentee by mail.

Jill Stein received 89% of the vote at the GPNY convention, winning 16 delegates.

Maryland primary

The Green Party of Maryland began mailing ballots to those who requested them in May. The final vote and tabulation of the ballots took place at the state convention on June 12. Seven candidates appeared on the ballot: Jill Stein, Kent Mesplay, Darryl Cherney, Sedinam Curry, William Kreml, Elijah Manley, and Raymond Haigood.

Washington, D.C. primary

The Washington, DC, Green Party primary was set to take place on June 14. However, due to confusion during a change in leadership, the party missed the deadline for notifying the DC Board of Elections of the presidential candidates it wished to have listed on its primary ballot (local candidates for the DC Green Party were listed in time). It is possible that the DC Green Party's 4 delegates will arrive at the National Convention uncommitted.

North Carolina

This state's Green Party held its presidential preference vote on June 25.

Jill Stein won this state's presidential preference vote, and will receive all of its delegates.

Nebraska convention

The Nebraska Green Party held its state convention on June 26 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Jill Stein won the presidential preference vote at the Nebraska Green Party's state convention. Stein will receive all 4 of Nebraska's delegates.

Iowa primary

All registered Greens were mailed a presidential primary ballot. After all ballots were returned, the ballots were counted publicly at the Iowa City Public Library on July 9.

Jill Stein won the Iowa primary, and received 3 out of the 4 available delegates. William Kreml received the other delegate.

West Virginia convention

The Mountain Party designated their four delegates at their convention on July 16 in Bridgeport, West Virginia.

Jill Stein received all four delegates from West Virginia.

Louisiana

This state's Green Party held its presidential preference vote on July 30.

Michigan convention

The Michigan Green Party held a state meeting to select delegates to send to the national convention on May 19. It will hold its state convention to select its presidential preference and other candidates on July 30 and 31 in Lansing, Michigan.

Florida primary

The Green Party of Florida held their primary on July 31, 2016. Early voting began on July 25. On July 31, 2016, the Green Party of Florida announced that Jill Stein had won the Florida primary using instant-runoff voting.

Arkansas delegation

Arkansas sent delegates to the National Convention without holding a primary, caucus, or convention. Instead, Arkansas's delegates pledged themselves to the presumptive nominee based on the number of delegates each candidate received over the course of the primaries. Jill Stein had the most delegates by a wide margin, therefore Arkansas's delegates voted for her at the convention.

Arkansas had an active Green Party and sent delegates to the National Convention, but did not hold a presidential preference vote. Their delegates supported the presumptive nominee (Stein) at the Green National Convention.

The following states did not hold a presidential preference vote due to a lack of resources:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Wyoming

The following states did not hold a presidential preference vote due to the lack of an established Green Party:

• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont

None of the U.S. territories held a presidential preference vote in the Green Party primaries. The only territory with an active Green Party chapter is the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Aside from the Lavender Greens and the Young Greens Caucus, no other Identity Caucus held a primary.

The Green Party of New Mexico and Students Organizing Action for Peace hosted a debate on April 9 at the University of New Mexico's Student Union Building. The debate was streamed online through Burque Media Productions. All five candidates recognized by the national party were invited.

RT America announced that it would broadcast a Green Party presidential debate on May 9, 2016, featuring Green Party candidates Jill Stein, Kent Mesplay and Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza Curry. The debate was moderated by the hosts of the RT America program Watching the Hawks, Tyrel Ventura and Tabetha Wallace. The debate is available on YouTube as RT America’s 2016 Green Party Debate.