New York's Democratic presidential primary date under review

[TexasTowelie]

“If you ain’t first, you’re last.”

While that quote was coined by the fictional NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby, it could also be generally applied to the presidential primaries and caucuses, where the earliest events carry the most sway in the process. (Mostly, though, I just wanted to reference Talladega Nights)

The schedule in recent years has found New York in the middle of the pack, a full two months after the calendar gets going with Iowa and New Hampshire. As a result, the field of candidates is often winnowed down by the time New Yorkers participate in the primary process.

Newly elected state Democratic Committee Chair Jay Jacobs said the state’s primary date is something he will look at in the coming weeks, and anticipates having conversations with representatives from the Democratic National Committee. “That is one of the top things on my agenda,” he said.

If the state party wanted to move its primary, Jacobs noted it would require action by the Legislature too.

Read more: https://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/286103/new-yorks-democratic-presidential-primary-date-under-review/

Cross-posted in the New York Group.

[Carrito]

1. New York should go before Iowa

New York's demographics resembles that of the United States much more so than Iowa and New Hampshire do.

For instance, NY is:
18% African American
19% Hispanic.

Iowa is
6% Hispanic
3%. Black

The United States is:
13% black
18% Hispanic

Besides, Iowa is one of the states that preferred Donald Trump.

[Trenzalore]

2. As long as it isn't first

I'm all for re-evaluating the order we do primaries but the NY media market is the most expensive in the country. It would heavily favor people with fundraising advantages as opposed to grass roots activism.

[Garrett78]

3. Speaking as someone who lives in California, California shouldn't go first either.

I've suggested Illinois, Florida, Arizona, Maryland and New Mexico as options. It's long been ridiculous that Iowa and New Hampshire lead things off, but traditions don't die easily.