If you’re guessing New Hampshire … wrong! It’s us baby … here in Wyoming. 
From the Casper Star Tribune:
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyoming Republicans have jumped to the head of the pack in the nominating process, moving their delegate-selection conventions to Jan. 5 before even Iowa or New Hampshire vote.
While the move puts Wyoming first in the accelerated primary process, it is not expected to stay there as states continue to jockey for position. At stake for Wyoming Republicans on Jan. 5 will be 12 delegates to the national convention.
“We’re first in the nation,” said Tom Sansonetti, the state party’s 2008 county convention coordinator. “At least for the next couple, three weeks until New Hampshire and Iowa move, which I expect they will.”
Wyoming Republicans made the decision Saturday and announced it Monday.
The ever-changing contest schedule _ and the earlier start to the balloting _ has created an enormous level of discomfort for national parties trying to impose discipline on the states as well as presidential campaigns trying to figure out strategies when voting could begin in just four months.
As a deterrence, the Republican National Committee insists they will penalize states that schedule nominating contests before Feb. 5 by withholding half of their delegates to the conventions next summer.
Wyoming doesn’t have caucuses or primaries. Instead, …the state’s Democratic and Republican parties select some of their delegates at county conventions and the rest at statewide conventions.
After choosing 12 delegates in the county convention, the state GOP will select 16 more at-large delegates at a statewide convention May 30 in Rock Springs.
The state’s Democrats still plan to hold their county conventions March 8 and their statewide convention May 24 in Jackson, Wyo.
The primary scramble has continued unabated, and more moves are expected in the coming weeks. South Carolina Republicans moved their primary to Jan. 19, forcing Iowa and New Hampshire to reconsider their dates to maintain their early status. Iowa caucuses had been scheduled for Jan. 14 and New Hampshire’s primary was tentatively set for Jan. 22. Nevada is scheduled to vote on Jan. 19.
The nominating calendar chaos has been just as great among the Democrats. The Democratic National Committee’s rules committee voted on Aug. 25 to take away Florida’s 210 delegates to the party’s nominating convention in Denver next summer.
Florida Democrats were given 30 days to submit an alternative to its planned Jan. 29 primary.
The stern action was supposed to be a warning to other states not to leapfrog ahead.
A service of the Associated Press(AP)
Rumor has it that the GOP Presidential Candidates will be stopping by Wyoming. This early primary date gives our 3 electoral votes a little more weight. Stay tuned …..
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Romney recently paid a visit to Jackson Hole. I have wondered if the others would catch on. Sounds like they might be.
While I agree that IA and NH have a little too much influence, the primary process for this election is definitely crazy. When everyone else wakes up next year, the two contenders will be chosen and everyone with the exception of the political junkies is going to be saying When did they get voted on?
Hi Scott,
With the date being January 5th — Tieki Rae probably won’t have to vote absentee.
Keep in mind, the January date does not include Congressional, Senatorial, and other candidates. That portion of the election is still in August. Which reminds me, I still need to contact the elections office here about my Grandma getting registered.
Well, as you know, you aren’t supposed to spank anyone in California, so how else is one supposed to impose discipline on those wild-child states?
Congrats to Wyoming. The primaries will be over by Halloween, at this rate. (Cripes, if Hillary wins the Dem primary, that’ll be a scare for everyone.)
Hi Tammi,
Way to go! On the other hand, Tennessee is going to have a player in the game, as Thompson has announced that he will announce as a candidate early next month. This just shows that it’s not too late for you to run.
the Grit
Hi Guys,
I’ve realized today that this WY primary type procedure happening in January is not all it’s cracked up to be. You’ll have to bear with me since I’m not a native to the state.
I’m actually from KS, where normal primaries are held in the spring and the people who are registered Republicans actually vote in the Republican primary for the candidate of their choice.
Well, after moving to WY and finding out the primaries were held in August — I realized the Presidential GOP candidates would already be decided by that point by other states and the process just seemed stupid and pointless.
So, I got all excited about the date being moved up, giving WY a voice in the choosing of Presidential GOP candidates. Turns out, in January, only precinct committee men and women get to vote on the GOP candidates. In other words, I still have no say of who wins the GOP POTUS candidacy. No vote. If you think I’m coming across as discouraged, and a little peeved … you’d be right
Yes, but like Rep. Collin Simpson (R-Cody, HD 24) said, the Central Committee is much more conservative than he planned on. Some of the vising GOP candidates just might receive the same wake-up call
I KNEW that Wyoming Gal Syndicate was up to something! Well played, Wyomingites.
Thanks Kevin. I’m glad Wyoming will be a player in the selection of the GOP presidential candidate. Yet, very disappointed to personally be disenfranchised from the process.