Iowa has long been the first U.S. state candidate to run for president, but that could soon change for Democrats after members of the Democratic National Committee approved a new plan Wednesday. The plan, approved by the DNC’s Rules and Regulations Committee, includes lifting early voting waivers in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina and will require states wishing to conduct early contests to apply, the Des Moines Register reported. The resolution stated that states would be selected on the basis of criteria including diversity, competitiveness in general elections and the desirability of holding early qualifiers. Up to five states will be selected and states that have previously held early primaries will not be preferred. Mo Elleithee, a member of the Committee on Rules and Statutes, said Wednesday that “parliamentary states” and “states that do not offer some form of diversity will be difficult for me to sell,” The Register reported. “Iowa will definitely apply to be in the early window and we look forward to supporting our cause with enthusiasm,” Iowa Democratic Party leader Ross Wilburne told Insider. Wilburn added: “The Democratic Party of Iowa will also be working with many stakeholders across Iowa to explore substantive changes to community bodies that would make them clearer, more transparent and more accessible, addressing the concerns expressed by some members of the Commission. and DNC Regulations. “ States must apply for early voting by 3 June. The DNC is expected to finalize the nomination calendar in July. A similar draft proposal was considered by the DNC last month, said Grace Panetta and Insider’s Kayla Epstein. Iowa was the first presidential primary with a parliamentary committee system since 1972, giving the state enormous importance in selecting candidates. The technical issues in the 2020 Iowa Parliamentary Group re-examined the unusual nomination system and helped ignite recent calls to overturn the nomination calendar. The DNC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
