On a Corrected Schedule for Democratic Primaries and Caucuses

The entire Democratic primary season debacle, with States jockeying for position, and States that can’t follow simple directions having their primary voters robbed of their voices, has led me to consider a solution to the scheduling problem.

States with a smaller population certainly deserve the earlier primaries.  That’s why it’s important to not let States like Florida or Michigan move out of line.  They already have a great deal of influence by virtue of their population alone.

The candidates will need to visit the small States with early primaries and/or caucuses to campaign.  Those States will be vital for building momentum in the upcoming race.  Small States also require a more personal touch from the candidates, allowing not only the residents of the State, but also the media to grow to know the candidate on a personal level.  The people of the State are afforded the same opportunity to grow to know the candidate.

It is also important to not cluster primaries and caucuses on or around one date.  That only causes smaller States to be ignored by both the candidates and the media.  Instead, spacing the primaries out 3 to 4 days apart over the course of several months will give each State its time in the spotlight.

I’m setting the date of the first primary or caucus as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January.  The last primary will then be held on the 3^rd of July, a patriotic festival in the delegate-rich State of California.  In between those dates, every 3 to 4 days, primaries and caucuses will be held around the country, in order of an increasing number of delegates.

Momentum can then be gained in smaller States, giving the State more influence in the early primaries, and giving less well-funded candidates a chance to gain attention during less expensive primaries.

As the campaign season moves on and the field of candidates narrows, larger States will hold their primaries, until, finally, the last candidates standing will compete for the States with the most delegates.

A sample Democratic primary schedule using this methodology is included below.

Tags: Biden, caucus, Clinton, democrat, Giuliani, Huckabee, Iowa, McCain, New Hampshire, Obama, primary, republican, Romney