Politics

Democrats Overhaul Party’s Primary Calendar, Upending a Political Tradition


“None of that,” she said, “is more important than what the party says it wants in its process.”

Many prominent Democrats had been adamant that Mr. Biden’s preferences should prevail, reflecting his standing as the head of the party.


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“If he had called me and said, ‘Jim Clyburn, I’ve decided that South Carolina should not be in the pre-primary window,’ I would not have liked that at all, but I damn sure would not oppose,” said Representative James E. Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat and close Biden ally. His state zooms into the most influential position on the primary calendar, though Mr. Clyburn said he had been agnostic on the early-state order as long as South Carolina was part of the window.

D.N.C. rules demand consequences for any state that operates outside the party-approved early lineup. That state would risk losing delegates in the nomination process, which could make delegate-hunting contenders question the time investment.

Certainly, the New Hampshire primary has historically been more about building momentum and media attention than securing a large delegate prize. Even so, New Hampshire Democrats have urged the D.N.C. not to punish the state, and party officials there hope the matter of sanctions is still up for some degree of discussion.

Candidates who campaign in a state that is flouting the party schedule could face repercussions as well, such as not receiving delegates from that particular state. Party rules define campaigning in a number of ways, including “placing a candidate’s name on the ballot.”

Such consequences for candidates would be far more relevant in a contested primary. Much of the drama around the calendar may effectively be moot if Mr. Biden runs again, as he has said he intends to do, and if he does not face a serious primary challenge.

It’s unclear how the president would approach spending time in New Hampshire if the state defies the D.N.C.-sanctioned calendar. Some Democrats have also questioned whether there would be an effort, if New Hampshire does not comply, to replace it with a different Northeastern state for regional representation.



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