In 2012, candidates needed either one percent or 500 signatures (whichever was lower) from Democrats in each of the state's 50-plus congressional districts. They had two months to do so -- which, particularly if you're hoping to keep expenses under $5,000, is a time crunch. Other states work similarly; some don't.
A contemporary definition of rank-and-file is prevalent in labor union vernacular when referring to general membership and not union leaders. Rank-and-file generally means the employee doesn't occupy a high-level position within the organization.
1520s, string or wire on which documents are strung, from French file row, from Middle French filer (see file (v.)). The meaning arranged collection of papers is from 1620s; computer sense is from 1954. The military sense line or row of men (1590s) is from the French verb in the sense of spin out (thread); march in file.. metal tool, Old English feol (Mercian fil), from Proto-Germanic *finkhlo (cf.