Potential January date for NH's presidential primary comes into focus

Paul Feely, The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
·1 min read

Jul. 14—As the political brinkmanship over the Democratic presidential primary schedule intensifies, you might want to circle Tuesday, Jan. 23 on your calendar for New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary.

Just do it in pencil.

Secretary of State David Scanlan said he won't commit to a date until sometime this fall, but:

"All things being equal, and if nothing were to change, that date (Jan. 23) is certainly a possibility because it would create the opportunity for New Hampshire to maintain its first-in-the-nation primary at least seven days before a similar event," Scanlan said. "There are still plenty of moving parts we need to watch."

Scanlan said he will keep a close eye on other states' plans the rest of the summer.

"What I am looking for is to see what other states may do in terms of encroaching on New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary position," Scanlan said. "Hopefully between now and then the final pieces will fall into place."

With Iowa's caucuses planned for Jan. 15, and South Carolina's primary scheduled for Feb. 3 (according to the Democratic National Committee calendar), Jan. 23 meets the criteria set by a state law that requires Granite Staters to vote at least seven days before any other state.

Scanlan won't say when exactly he will make a final decision on the date.

"One of the cards that New Hampshire holds in terms of scheduling its date so it can remain first is that the secretary of state has tremendous flexibility when that date gets set," Scanlan said. "I will keep that card close to my chest, and when the time is right I will announce the date."