Why don't we have a nationwide simultaneous primary?

[Plaid Adder]

I get depressed just listening to the New Hampshire coverage. Our primary is not until long after Super Tuesday and by the time we get to vote it is all already over. Do it all at once like in a normal election, that's what I say, and we'd get better results.

But I suppose that would be sensible, rather than political...

Harrumph,

The Plaid Adder

[meegbear]

1. That's a good idea ...

January thru May, 10 non-bordering states would have a primary. Then every state would have an impact on the election.

[bearfartinthewoods]

2. the day has long since passed since this made sense

there is no reason to direct the candidate's time an attention to specific states as there was before 24/7 news, fast transportation etc.

i hope i live long enough to caste a meaningful vote in a primary.

[FauxNewsBlues]

3. Small states wouldn't go for it

It would be like the general election. Basically, the candidates wouldn't even show up to New Hampshire, Iowa, Vermont, Delaware, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota.

If ya divided the primaries into 3, grouped by size, smallest going first, say the smallest 20, then the next 20, followed by the big 10 it would be more workable, but small states are the ones who benefit by this, and they aren't going to change their rules.

[TomNickell]

4. Makes it impossible for a poorly funded candidate....

to win the early states and pick up momentum. Puts more power in the hands of the Big Bucks guys. No opportunity for candidates to drop out, back another one--raises the chances of a fringe candidate getting a plurality.

Also raises the chances of an open convention, with no candidate having a majority.

We've nearly got that this time. Primaries are so close together that the money has to be raised before NH. So nobody drops out and there is a good chance nobody will have a majority of delegates.

[PAMod]

5. Elections are state affairs

I believe that New Hampshire's election code requires that their primary be before anyone elses. I think it says 1 week before.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. This is true.

Each state sets its own primary date, and NH does have a law saying it would have a primary one week before anyone else's.

Again, I bitch about NJ having the primary in June, after everything's been decided.

[Yupster]

6. I like the many weeks primary we have now better, but

I think it would be more exciting if they pulled the order of the states out of a hat each cycle, rather than the same states going first each time.

Unfair to minorities for one thing. The two states that go first are overwhelmingly white, when the Democratic electorate may be less than half white.