05.17.2007: Primary Motive

Helping one of your own is the Golden Rule of Illinois politics. So it came as no surprise this week when Democratic lawmakers in Springfield announced a change in election rules to help the presidential prospects of Senator Barack Obama.

Students of government know that elections are a perfect example of American federalism. Although the U.S. Constitution mandates a national election date, most election laws are determined by each individual state.

While the Constitution maps out how the Electoral College determines the winner of presidential elections, but the rules for the nomination process can vary widely.

For instance, most--but not all--states now conduct primary elections as a way for party voters to express their preference between their party’s nominees. Also, more than a dozen states now allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if those voters will turn 18 by the date of the General Election. In addition, the timing of the primary elections is also determined solely by state governments, and that’s where the Illinois General Assembly comes in to play.

The Illinois Primary Election has historically taken place in late March. But because dozens of states have positioned their primaries prior to this date, presidential candidates have spent little time campaigning here.

Until now.

With Barack Obama’s candidacy, the General Assembly had the motivation to advance its Primary Election date by more than a month to February 5th. Now the Illinois Primary will take place along with New York, California and 20 other states in what has been dubbed the “Super Duper Tuesday” primary.

The intent is to give Obama a helping hand in his competition with Senator Hillary Clinton to rack up crucial party delegates who will make the Party’s official decision in the Summer of 2008.

CitizenU will not predict whether or not this maneuver will make Obama the Democratic nominee. We do know that the move helps to cement two trends in the presidential nomination process.

1.) A Defacto National Primary

Although the nomination process is a state-by-state process, “Super Duper Tuesday” is a sign that we are moving toward an unofficial national primary for presidential nominees. Because so many large states will now express their presidential preference so early, we will now know the unofficial nominee by March even though the parties will not officially nominate the candidates until August.

2.) Money is the mother's milk of politics

Illinois is an expensive TV market, and candidates will now feel compelled to spend major money here. Raising big money nearly a year before any voter casts a preference will now be even more important.

So mark February 5th on your calendars and get ready to greet the dozen presidential candidates who will now be working very hard for your votes!