What date is the "cutoff" date for a potential presidential candidate to announce that he is running?

Question

I'm wondering IF Rudy Guiliani has announced yet, and if not, IS there a date by which he must announce?

Answer 1

There's no official nationwide date - each state has a separate filing deadline for their Presidential primaries (or general election, if you're running as an independent). Any "cutoff" date would be on the last state's filing date.

Realistically, though, you have to announce by, at the latest, the autumn of the year before (2007 for the 2008 elections) in order to be able to get on the ballot, build up a campaign staff, and raise money.