Some Nebraska lawmakers pushing for an earlier primary

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Martha Stoddard

LINCOLN — Nebraskans could be heading to the polls in 2016 a month earlier than usual for the primary election.

Some state lawmakers and leaders of both major political parties have begun talking about the possibility of moving up the primary for the next presidential election year.

State Sen. John Murante of Gretna is promoting the idea because, he said, an earlier primary could attract more attention from presidential candidates.

Nebraska's current primary — scheduled for the first Tuesday after the second Monday in May — is one of the latest in the presidential race.

FULL story at link.



Read more: Some Nebraska lawmakers pushing for an earlier primary

[OmahaBlueDog]

1. We could solve this simply with a 2 or 3 tier national primary

All states vote on the same days. Here's what I'd propose:

Round 1 around February 1 cuts to the top 4 vote getters (if 4 or more are running); otherwise cuts to the top 2 (if 4 or fewer are running)

Round 2 around March 15 either decides the winner or cuts to the final 2

Round 3 (if necessary) around May 1 would decide the winner.

I can't blame any state for wanting to move up. The current system gives way too much power to New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina.