By Greg Robinson – Online Editor
The Florida Republican Party has decided that they will move their 2012 presidential primary on Jan. 31 ahead of the Iowa primary, which is traditionally one of the first in the nation. This was followed up by Nevada declaring their primary for Jan. 14, as well as South Carolina rescheduling for Jan. 21, throwing the Republican Party into complete disarray.
Only four states are allowed to have their primary elections before Mar. 6. Typically, these four states are Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Nevada has moved up their primary from Feb. 16 to mid-January in order to “improve Nevada’s standing and relevance in terms of national politics,” according to a statement released by Nevada Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Tarkanian.
New Hampshire is expected to move their primary next, based on a law that declares the state must hold their first-in-the-nation primary at least seven days before the next one. This could result in a Jan. 3 primary, or even a late Dec. 2011 date. There are also rumors that Iowa will shift their primary as well in order to remain the first primary in the nation. All states must set their primaries by Oct. 28.
Currently, New Hampshire is aiming for a mid-December primary unless Nevada alters their plans. New Hampshire Secretary of State William M. Gardner released a statement on Oct. 12 on his official website, clarifying that the primary date is mandated by New Hampshire law:
“If Nevada does not accept a date of Tuesday, January 17th or later for its caucus, it leaves New Hampshire no choice but to consider December of this year. The dates of Tuesday, December 13th, and Tuesday December 6th are realistic options, and we have logistics in place to make either date happen if needed. Candidates have been campaigning here, and elsewhere, for months, and it is about time we begin the next stage of the presidential nominating process.”
The states moving their primaries, however, will not escape unscathed. Any state whose primary election violates RNC rules must sacrifice half of their voting delegates when it comes time for the national convention, which is set to be held in Tampa. This seems a small price to pay in exchange for national prominence. Iowa is the only state exempt from this rule.
The 2008 Presidential Primaries also had similar issues, with many states jockeying for early primary dates. Florida held their primary in Jan. in 2008 along with Michigan, resulting in both of these states losing half their votes at the national conventions.
The reason states move their dates up is to have a greater influence on the national political scene. Many states believe the prominence they gain from an early primary negates the loss of half their delegates at the national convention.
