Townhall.com to Host National GOP Primary

(Washington, D.C.) – Townhall.com will host the largest online Republican national primary. Voting begins December 13, 2011 at 7:00 AM EST and will close on December 15, 2011 at 4:30 PM EST.

Townhall.com and HotAir.com, the leading conservative online network, created the National GOP Primary to give conservative voters across the country an equal opportunity to voice their opinion on the GOP nomination for president. Because of the primary schedule, many conservatives will not vote until long after the nominee is effectively chosen. The Townhall.com National Primary will precede the Iowa Caucuses, New Hampshire Primary, and the rest of the GOP nominating contests. The winner of the Townhall.com national primary will have significant momentum in the run up to 2012 and show the relative appeal of the Republican candidates.

According to Jonathan Garthwaite, general manager and vice president of Townhall, “This gives our nationwide audience a chance to have their individual voices heard. We think it is important for all our readers to have the opportunity to vote for the Republican presidential candidate of their choice. The GOP nominee must have the support of conservatives. There’s no better bellwether of conservative voters than the Townhall/HotAir readership.”

Voters must register in order to cast a vote in the Townhall.com National GOP Primary. In order to be eligible, the voter must be a registered reader on Townhall.com or HotAir.com, or have voted in the 2011 Townhall.com GOP Straw Poll. They can also register prior to December 11, 2011 at TownhallPrimary.com. Every eligible voter will receive an email on December 13, 2011 with instructions explaining how to vote.

Actively campaigning presidential candidates who are polling at five percent or better in the Townhall.com National PollTracker Average on December 11, 2011 will be included in the primary. Townhall.com management reserves the right to make final decisions on eligibility.

“With the largest, conservative online media network, Townhall.com and HotAir.com will be a megaphone for millions of conservatives in 2012,” Garthwaite said. “We’re excited to give our vast readership a say in the Republican nomination process.”