Clock ticking on Sarah Palin entry into 2012 presidential race

But if she does want to run for president, she’ll have to get on the ballot. Palin has gestured vaguely at various self-imposed deadlines — the latest being late September — but there are some drop-dead dates that she cannot escape, starting with Oct. 31.

That’s the day presidential candidates’ names have to be submitted for inclusion on the primary ballot in Florida. By the next day, candidates have to file for the South Carolina primary ballot — along with a $25,000 fee. And the deadlines for other states come fast and furious after that. It’s $1,000 by Nov. 18 in New Hampshire. On Dec. 5, thousands of signed petitions are due in Illinois.