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.
Definition of file for Students. 1  1 : a device (as a folder, case, or cabinet) for storing papers or records in an orderly way. 2  2 : a collection of papers or records kept in a file. 3  3 : a collection of data treated as a unit by a computer.