US 2008 primary scramble hots up

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Michigan has come a step closer to moving its presidential primary contests forward to 15 January 2008, a move likely to shake up the calendar.

Both state House and Senate have now agreed the step and the bill is expected to be signed by the governor.

It comes only days after national Democrats voted to punish states that jump ahead of the party's set schedule.

Florida, which moved to 29 January, has been told it may lose all its delegates to the nominating convention next year.

The state's Democrats must put back their primary date by at least a week if they wish to avoid being penalised, the Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday.

The Republican National Committee has also warned states they face sanctions if they seek to flout the rules.

In a presidential election year, states hold primaries, an election where voters indicate a preference for a candidate, and caucuses, party meetings to endorse candidates, to choose Democratic and Republican nominees.

Candidates who do not do well in early elections tend to drop out, so giving the states which decide first a greater say in the electoral process.

Challenge

If Michigan moves to 15 January as planned, it could prompt further reshuffling of an already unsettled calendar.

CURRENT KEY DATES 14 Jan: Iowa caucus19 Jan: South Carolina primary22 Jan: New Hampshire primary29 Jan: Florida 5 Feb: some 20 states including California, New York, New Jersey <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6297545.stm">Quick guide: US election</a> <a class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6944686.stm">Primary and caucus dates</a>

Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally first to hold their contests, may have to move their dates forward to the New Year holiday or even late December.

In another challenge to tradition, Wyoming Republicans this week moved their delegate-selection conventions forward to 5 January 2008.

Minnesota's Democrats also announced they would be joining the state's Republicans in moving their caucuses to 5 February, when two dozen states are set to hold their contests.

Meanwhile, South Carolina's Republicans have pushed theirs up to 19 January in a bid to remain the first Southern state to vote.

Jeff Timmer, a spokesman for Michigan's Republican Party, said there was some concern among members over the penalties threatened by the national party.

However, he believes that the need for unity ahead of next year's election will result in any sanctions being lifted and both parties in all states being allowed to send full delegations to the conventions.

State laws

The frontloading of the calendar has implications for New Hampshire, which has a state law determining that its primary be held at least a week before any other state's.

Michigan's move could mean the state's primary has to move forward to at least 8 January.

The shifting dates would also have an effect on Iowa, which has a state law that it must be the first to hold any kind of voting procedure.

That means the Iowa caucuses must come before the New Hampshire primary in the electoral calendar.

The Iowa caucus is currently set for 14 January, but the changes could mean Iowa officials having to decide whether to set the caucus for around New Year, or bring it forward to December this year.