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“The time to reform the process is now!” said Bysiewicz. “Though we saw unprecedented turnout, excitement, and interest on the part of voters, the 2008 primary contest was marred by states trying to rush to the front of the line and hold the first contest. To leave the primary calendar the way it is just invites chaos, and the type of inter-state competition that led to the contested delegations in Florida and Michigan. I call on both parties to bring sense to the process and adopt this reform plan this summer.” The NASS proposal divides the country into four geographic areas — Eastern, Southern, Midwestern and Western—and rotates each region to vote first beginning in March. The other regions would hold their primary elections in April, May and June. Under this system a state could hold its primary at any time during its region’s selected month. A different part of the country would vote first every sixteen years. New Hampshire and Iowa would retain their early status to allow under-funded and less widely known candidates to compete through retail politics rather than the costly media driven campaigns required in larger states. The NASS Rotating Regional Presidential Primaries Plan is the only reform proposal with bipartisan support from federal, state, and local elected officials. In addition to the National Lieutenant Governors Association endorsement, the Council of State Governments has taken a position in support of the plan. The NASS plan was also endorsed by a 2005 blue-ribbon panel, the Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) are chief sponsors of federal legislation that mirrors the NASS plan, the Regional Primaries Act of 2007. The Republican Party limits reform discussions to one short window of time every four years, at its nominating conventions. The Democratic Party is free to take up the issue at any time. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Bysiewicz’s ¡Tu Voto Si Cuenta! campaign to register 10,000 latino voters passes the halfway mark - Sep 2, 2008 - 3:40:17 PM Duff hosts free BBQ for Norwalk & Darien residents at his home - Aug 25, 2008 - 12:21:28 AM Bysiewicz orders audit on voting machines used in primaries - Aug 19, 2008 - 2:14:51 PM Today is primary day and polls are open - Aug 12, 2008 - 10:51:15 AM Patients at West Haven Veterans' Hospital registered to vote - Aug 7, 2008 - 2:39:22 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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