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RNC Chair threatens NH’s first-in-the-nation spot

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Republican National Committee chair Reince Preibus stirred up a hornet’s nest this week after an interview with the National Journal in which he stated “I don’t think that there should ever be any sacred cows as to the primary process or the order.”

Preibus referred to the committee’s rule changing process, which will begin in January 2016, where changes to the selection of delegates and the nominating calendar for 2020 will be adopted. “If you look at my history, I’ve been very supportive of the early states as general counsel and as chairman. But I don’t think anyone should get too comfortable,” Preibus said.

Under current RNC rules, only NH, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada may hold their nominating contests prior to March 1, 2016. However, any RNC member can suggest a change to these rules. Recently, an RNC member from Texas proposed a rule that would have eliminated early state exceptions. The motion was defeated.

A state law passed in 1975 states that the New Hampshire primary will always be held at least seven days prior to any similar election. However, political parties have the power to impose a range of sanctions against states that buck committee rules. Currently in the RNC, states other than the four ‘early’ exemptions that schedule their contests prior to the March cutoff can have 90 percent of their convention delegates withheld. The Democratic committee similarly punishes unauthorized early states with the loss of 50 percent of delegates.

Parties can also sanction candidates who campaign in such ‘rogue’ states, taking away their delegates or banning them from debates.

NH officials rushed to pledge support for maintaining the state’s first-in-the-nation primary status, including Republican Rep. Kelly Ayotte, Gov. Maggie Hassan, and Secretary of State William Gardner. Their sentiments were echoed by several current contenders for the Republican presidential nomination.

Democratic National Committee chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz voiced support for maintaining the NH primary tradition in an interview with WMUR.

Supporters of NH’s first-in-the-nation status argue that voters in the state are highly engaged, well informed citizens who take their civic responsibility seriously, and note that NH’s small size means candidates must engage directly with voters, giving every candidate a fair shot.

Opponents counter that an alternative such as a rotating primary system or a random lottery would be more fair, giving other states a chance to take on a prominent role in the election process.

The NH primary is tentatively scheduled for February 9.

Do you support maintaining NH’s first-in-the-nation primary tradition? Why or why not? Leave a comment and share your opinion.

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