The 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries and caucuses are taking place within the United States Republican Party (GOP) prior to the 2016 general election. They are staggered among the 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories between February 1 and June 7. In anticipation of the primaries and caucuses, the Republican National Committee (RNC) began polling email subscribers in January 2014 as to their choice for the nomination among 32 potential nominees, telling its supporters, "The battle for the White House has already begun."