Moving Targets

STATELINE INFOGRAPHIC moving targets *** How the dates of state presidential primaries *** and caucuses have changed over 20 years* 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 UNDECIDED IN 2012 Why states will hold their presidential nominating contests later in 2012 * Party Pressure: Republican * Cost: States can save money by combining their presidential primaries with regular state primaries, which typically take place later. and Democratic party rules limit which states can vote early. 14 states have no * Disappointment: States that moved forward in previous election cycles didn't always get the extra attention from candidates they wanted. date for Republican party contests * Disinterest: With President Obama running again for Democrats, only the Republican nomination is likely to be seriously contested. 6 states have no date for Democratic party contests 1992 Changing dates: 2012 20 years of primary elections California lowa Florida 2008 2012 2008 1996 2008 2000 FEB JUN JAN FEB JAN MAR 12 29 14 EARLIEST LATEST EARLIEST LATEST EARLIEST LATEST The state traditionally voted in June, but moved up to The first-in-the-nation The state voted in March caucus was held in February in the 1980s and 1990s, but until 2008, when it moved March in 1996, 2000 and up to January to try to have moved up to January in 2000. It stayed in January the next two cycles to stay 2004 and, in 2008, voted more influence over the with more than 20 states on nominations. The gambit worked on the Republican February 5. For next year, California will be voting in ahead of other states. lowa side, but the Democrats June once again, after will move back to February forbid candidates from campaigning in the state. Florida's date for next year is a key unresolved question. lawmakers combined next year, unless other it with the state's regular states crowd forward, primary date as a way to prompting it to go earlier. save money. Note: The number of contests doesn't add up to 50 for Democrats and Republicans in all years because in some states formal delegation-selection events weren't held or the historical record is unclear. For 2012, any state without an established date or that is openly contemplating moving its date isn't included. lowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina are all counted as holding contests in February-the month dictated by national party rules-even though it's possible they would move earlier if other states move up. Source: Josh Putnam, Frontloading HQ; Stateline research Infographic by Carla Uriona and Evan Potler