Secretary of State: NH primary is 'independent of party rules'

Apr. 14—New Hampshire's first in the nation presidential primary is locked in by state law, Secretary of State David Scanlan said on Thursday, the day after the Democratic National Committee voted to require states to apply for an early spot instead of following the traditional order of states.

"New Hampshire has a state law that says the presidential primary shall go before any similar event," Scanlan said. "That statute is really independent of party rules."

"Similar event" has usually been understood to mean a primary election where people cast ballots in voting booths, but not a caucus where people gather and argue for their choices.

In 2020, Iowa and Nevada held caucuses, but Nevada has since switched its presidential nominating contest to a primary election — similar to what happens in New Hampshire and in the fourth traditional early-primary state of South Carolina.

Democrats have been wondering for years if it still makes sense for Iowa and New Hampshire to have the first contests. On Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws committee voted to make states apply for early primaries. The committee is expected to start reviewing applications early this summer.

But because the state runs the primary, New Hampshire's will still be held before any other primary elections.

"When the time comes, we will follow New Hampshire's law," he said.

Scanlan's predecessor, longtime Secretary of State Bill Gardner, used his post to advocate for the New Hampshire primary.

Scanlan said he will be watching the issue closely and would work closely with the state's political parties.

"Advocating on the reasons why New Hampshire is well-qualified to hold the first-in-the-nation primary is going to be a joint effort."