State Legislatures Promote 2008 Primary Shuffle

"Super Tuesday" is a modern political construct -- and in 2000 there were 16 states holding primaries on the same day in March. But the 2008 presidential election is historic: it's the first time since 1952 where no sitting President or Vice President is running for the presidency.

Consequently, it looks like the barely legal-aged Super Tuesday is getting a facelift: the race is on in state legislatures to schedule primaries in January or February. Specifically, 5 February 2008 appears to be the next Super Tuesday. In other words, by this time next year, the party nominations could very well be sown up, leaving candidates (and fatigued voters) with nine more months before the general election.

This means more pressure on candidates -- and, perhaps, less emphasis on New Hampshire and Iowa, especially as big ticket states like Florida and California jump on the early voting bandwagon.

According to the Secretaries of State, 18 states are considering 5 February for their primary or caucus. But their data can't keep up with legislator one-upmanship .... some 5 February states are now eyeing even earlier dates, to escape the crowd.

For example, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina and Wyoming, are vying for January attention, normally the sole province of Iowa and New Hampshire.

States that are committed to 5 February: Alabama, Delaware, Missouri, Nevada (GOP primary), Oklahoma, Utah. But Alabama is considering Saturday 2 February to get out in front of the increasingly crowded field. Also, 5 February is Mardi Gras' Fat Tuesday, a popular holiday on the Gulf Coast.

States that are considering 5 February: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina and Tennessee.

In Georgia, the legislature is also considering a change in how many votes a candidate has to get to win without a runoff. The proposal: lower the threshold from a majority (50 percent) to a plurality (45 percent).

Also see:

• 2008 Presidential Primary Calendar
• 2008 Presidential Straw Poll