2008 federal election calendar (U.S.)

This page tracks important dates relating to the 2008 U.S. congressional elections, which will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

Alabama-Florida
This section tracks primary election dates and relevant links for the states listed alphabetically between (and including) Alabama and Florida.

Alabama
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: Apr. 4, 2008
 * Primary election: June 3, 2008
 * Primary run-off: July 15, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Alabama Secretary of State: Elections Division, Alabama Secretary of State: 2008 Election Information, Politics1: Alabama, AlabamaElections blog, VoteTrustUSA: Alabama

Alaska
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: June 2, 2008
 * Registration deadline: July 27, 2008
 * Primary election: August 26, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Alaska Division of Elections, Politics1: Alaska

American Samoa
 * Presidential Primary: February 5, 2008

Arizona
 * Congressional Election
 * Ballot filing deadline: June 4, 2008
 * Primary registration deadline: August 4, 2008
 * Primary election: September 2, 2008
 * General registration deadline: October 6, 2008
 * Presidential Primary: September 2, 2008
 * Relevant links: Arizona Secretary of State Elections Page, Politics1: Arizona

Arkansas
 * Congressional Election
 * Ballot filing deadline: March 10, 2008
 * Primary election voter registration deadline: April 21, 2008
 * Primary election: May 20, 2008
 * General election voter registration deadline: October 6, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links:Politics1: Arkansa, Arkansas Secretary of State Elections Page, Arkansas SOS Election Dates

California
 * Congressional Election
 * Ballot filing deadline (partisan candidates): March 7, 2008
 * Primary election voter registration deadline: May 19, 2008.
 * Primary election: June 3, 2008
 * Ballot filing deadline (independent candidates): August 8, 2008
 * General election voter registration deadline: October 20, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: California Secretary of State Election 2008 Key Dates, Politics1: California

Colorado
 * Congressional Election
 * Ballot filing deadline: May 29, 2008
 * Primary election voter registration deadline: July 14, 2008
 * Primary election: August 12, 2008
 * General election voter registration deadline: October 6, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Colorado, Colorado Secretary of State Elections Center

Connecticut
 * Congressional Election:
 * Ballot filing deadline: June 10, 2008
 * Primary election registration deadline: August 7, 2008
 * Primary election: August 12, 2008
 * Presidential Election: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Connecticut Secretary of State Elections Administration, Politics1: Connecticut

Delaware
 * Ballot filing deadline: July 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election date: September 9, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Delaware, Delaware Commissioner of Elections

District of Columbia
 * Ballot filing deadline: July 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election date: September 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: District of Columbia, District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics

Florida
 * Ballot filing deadline: May 2, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election date: August 26, 2008
 * Relevant links: Florida Department of State Division of Elections, Politics1: Florida

Georgia-Maine
This section tracks primary election dates and relevant links for the states listed alphabetically between (and including) Georgia and Maine.

Georgia
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: May 2, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: July 15, 2008
 * Primary run-off: August 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Georgia, >, Georgia Secretary of State Elections Division

Guam
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: July 8, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: September 6, 2008
 * Presidential caucus: Republican- February 9, 2008; Democratic- May 3, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Guam, Guam Election Commission, DC’s Political Report: Guam Congressional and Territory-wide Races

Hawaii
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: July 22, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election date: September 20, 2008
 * Presidential primary: September 20, 2008
 * Relevant links: Hawaii Office of Elections, Politics1: Hawaii, Hawaii Office of Elections Election Contest Schedule

Idaho
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: March 21, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: May 27, 2008
 * Presidential primary: May 27, 2008
 * Relevant links: Idaho Secretary of State Elections, Campaign Disclosure, and Lobbyists, Idaho Secretary of State's Official Voting Information Site, Politics1: Idaho, Idaho’s Presidential Preference Primary

Illinois
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: November 5, 2007
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: February 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Illinois, Illinois State Board of Elections

Indiana
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: February 22, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: May 6, 2008
 * Presidential primary: May 6, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Indiana, Indiana Secretary of State Elections Division

Iowa
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: March 14, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: June 3, 2008
 * Presidential caucus: January 3, 2008
 * Relevant links: Iowa Secretary of State Voter/Elections Site, Politics1: Iowa, DC’s Political Report: Iowa’s Congressional and Statewide Races

Kansas
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jun. 10, 2008
 * Primary election: Aug. 5, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Aug. 4, 2008
 * Presidential primary:
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Feb. 9, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Jun. 10, 2008
 * Independent Presidential deadline: Aug. 5, 2008
 * Deadline to fill nominee vacancy: Sep. 15, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline: Oct. 27, 2008
 * Relevant links:Politics1: Kansas, Kansas Secretary of State Elections Page, Vote!Kansas SiteDC Political Report: Kansas

Kentucky
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jan. 29, 2008
 * Primary election: May 20, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Aug. 12, 2008
 * Presidential primary: May 20, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Jan. 29, 2008
 * Presidential Independent filing deadline: Sep. 5, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline: Oct. 24, 2008
 * Relevant links:DC Political Report: Kentucky Kentucky Secretary of State Elections Site, Politics1: Kentucky

Louisiana
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jul. 11, 2008
 * Primary election: Sep. 6, 2008
 * Primary run-off: Oct. 4, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Feb. 9, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Dec. 14, 2007
 * Third party filing deadline: May 22, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Jun. 11, 2008
 * Relevant links: DC Political Report: Louisiana Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division, Politics1: Louisiana

Maine
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Mar. 15, 2008
 * Third party filing deadline: Dec. 14, 2007
 * Primary election: Jun. 10, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline: March 11, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Jun. 3, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Feb. 3, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 10, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: Aug. 15, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Jun. 2, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline: Nov. 1, 2008,
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Maine, Maine Department of the Secretary of State Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions DC Political Report: Maine

Maryland-New Jersey
This section tracks primary election dates and relevant links for the states listed alphabetically between (and including) Maryland and New Jersey.

Maryland
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: December 3, 2007
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: February 12, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 12, 2008
 * Relevant links: Maryland State Board of Elections, Politics1: Maryland, Maryland State Board of Elections: Candidacy, Maryland State Board of Elections: 2008 Election Dates

Massachusetts
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: June 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: September 16, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Massachusetts, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division,

Michigan
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: May 19, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: August 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary: January 15, 2008
 * Relevant links: Michigan Secretary of State Elections Page, Politics1: Michigan, Michigan Department of State Information for Voters,

Minnesota
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: July 15, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: September 9, 2008
 * Presidential caucus: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Minnesota, Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State Election Center, Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State Election Center - Filing for Office,

Mississippi
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: March 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: March 11, 2008
 * Presidential primary: March 11, 2008
 * Relevant links: DC's Political Report: Mississippi, Politics1: Mississippi, Mississippi Secretary of State Elections Division

Missouri
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: March 25, 2008
 * Ballots finalized: March 27, 2008
 * Primary election: August 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Missouri, Missouri Secretary of State Elections Division, Missouri Secretary of State 2009 Elections Calendar,

Montana
 * Congressional election
 * Ballot filing deadline: March 20, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: June 3, 2008
 * Presidential rimary: Republican Caucus- February 5, 2008; Democratic- June 3, 2008
 * Relevant Links: Politics1: Montana, Montana Secretary of State Elections and Government Services Division, Montana Secretary of State Official Elections Calendar,

Nebraska
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: February 2008 (incumbents), March 2008 (non-incumbents)
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: May 13, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Democratic Caucus- February 9, 2008; Republican- May 13, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Nebraska, DC's Political Report: Nebraska, Nebraska Secretary of State Election Administration,

Nevada
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: May 16, 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: August 12, 2008
 * Presidential caucus: January 19, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Nevada, Nevada Secretary of State Election Center, Nevada Secretary of State Elections Center: Important 2008 Candidate Dates, Nevada Secretary of State Elections Center: 2008 Election and Voter Registration Dates,

New Hampshire
 * Congressional elections
 * Ballot filing deadline: June 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: September 9, 2008
 * Presidential primary: January 8, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: New Hampshire, Dc's Political Report: New Hampshire, New Hampshire Secretary of State Elections Division,

New Jersey
 * Ballot filing deadline: April 2008
 * Ballots finalized:
 * Primary election: June 3, 2008
 * Presidential primary: February 5, 2008
 * Relevant links: DC's Political Report: New Jersey, Politics1: New Jersey, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Elections,

New Mexico-South Carolina
This section tracks primary election dates and relevant links for the states listed alphabetically between (and including) New Mexico and South Carolina.

New Mexico
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Feb. 12, 2008
 * Primary election: Jun. 3, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline: March 11, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Jun. 3, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Jun. 3, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Mar. 17, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Jun. 4, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: Jun. 24, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline: Sep. 2, 2008,
 * Relevant links: Politics1: New Mexico, DC's Political Report: New Mexico, New Mexico Secretary of State Bureau of Election

New York
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: July, 17 2008
 * Primary election: September 9, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential primary: Feb 5, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Feb 5, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Dec. 6, 2007
 * Independent filing deadline: Aug 19, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: Aug 19, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: New York, DC's Political Report: New York, New York State Board of Elections

North Carolina
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Feb. 29, 2008
 * Primary election: May 6, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential primary: May 6, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: May 6, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: May 6, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Feb 29, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: June 27, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: June 1, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline: Aug 6, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: North Carolina, DC's Political Report: North Carolina, North Carolina State Board of Elections

North Dakota
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Apr. 11, 2008
 * Primary election: June 10, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Apr. 11, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Sept 5, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline:
 * Write-in filing deadline: Oct. 14, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: North Dakota, DC's Political Report: North Dakota, North Dakota Secretary of State Elections and Voting Page

Ohio
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jan. 4, 2008
 * Primary election: June 10, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary: Mar. 3, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary : Mar. 4, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Aug. 21, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Mar. 3, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline:
 * Write-in filing deadline: Sept. 3, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Ohio, DC's Political Report: Ohio, Ohio Secretary of State

Oklahoma
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: June 4, 2008
 * Primary election: July 29, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Dec. 5, 2007
 * Independent filing deadline: June 4, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: May 1, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Oklahoma, DC's Political Report: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State Election Board

Oregon
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Mar. 11, 2008
 * Primary election: May 20, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary: May 20, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: May 20, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: May 20, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline:
 * Independent filing deadline: Aug. 26, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: Aug. 26, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Oregon, DC's Political Report: Oregon, Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division

Pennsylvania
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Feb. 12, 2008
 * Primary election: Apr. 22, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary: Apr. 22, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Apr. 22, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: Apr. 22, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Feb. 12, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Aug. 1, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline:
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Pennsylvania, DC's Political Report: Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislation

Puerto Rico
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Aug. 1, 2008
 * Primary election: Mar. 9, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary:
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Feb. 24, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: June 1, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Republican- Dec. 26, 2007; Democrat- April 2, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline:
 * Minor party filing deadline:
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Puerto Rico, DC's Political Report: Puerto Rico

Rhode Island
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: June 25, 2008
 * Primary election: Sept. 9, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Apr. 22, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: Apr. 22, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Feb. 12, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Sept. 5, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: May 30, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Rhode Island, DC's Political Report: Rhode Island, Rhode Island Secretary of State Elections and Civics

South Carolina
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Mar. 31, 2008
 * Primary election: June 6, 2008
 * Primary write-in filing deadline:
 * Presidential Primary:
 * Republican Presidential Primary: Jan. 19, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Primary: Jan. 26, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Nov. 1, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: July 15, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: May 30, 2008
 * Write-in filing deadline:
 * Relevant links: Politics1: South Carolina, DC's Political Report: South Carolina, South Carolina State Election Commission

South Dakota-Wyoming
This section tracks primary election dates and relevant links for the states listed alphabetically between (and including) South Dakota and Wyoming.

South Dakota
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Mar. 25, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Jun. 3, 2008
 * Primary election:Jun. 3, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Jun. 3, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: Aug. 5, 2008
 * Relevant links:DC's Political Report: South Dakota, Politics1: South Dakota, South Dakota Secretary of State Registration and Voting

Tennessee
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Apr. 3, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Apr. 3, 2008
 * Primary election: Aug. 7, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Dec. 4, 2007
 * Relevant links:DC's Political Report: Tennessee, Politics1: Tennessee, Tennessee Department of State Division of Elections

Texas
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jan. 2, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: May. 8, 2008
 * Primary election: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Primary run-off: Apr. 8, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: May 8, 2008
 * Third party filing deadline: May 19, 2008
 * Relevant links:Politics1: Texas, DC's Political Report: Texas, Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

Utah
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Mar. 17, 2008
 * Primary election: Jun. 24, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: Sep. 2, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Oct. 15 2007
 * Minor party filing deadline: Feb. 15, 2008
 * Primary filing deadline: Mar. 17, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Mar. 17, 2008
 * Relevant links: Politics1: Utah, State of Utah Elections Office DC's Political Report: Utah State of Utah Elections Office: How to become a candidate for federal office

Vermont
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jul. 21, 2008
 * Primary election: Sep. 9, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Sep. 12, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Mar. 4, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Jan. 21, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: Sep. 12. 2008
 * Relevant links:DC's Political Report: Vermont Politics1: Vermont, Vermont Secretary of State Elections and Campaign Finance Division

Virginia
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Apr. 11, 2008
 * Primary election: Jun. 10, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Feb. 12, 2008
 * GOP Convention: May 29, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Aug. 22, 2008
 * Relevant links: DC's Political Report: Virginia, Virginia State Board of Elections Politics1: Virginia Virginia State Board of Elections Schedule of General Elections

Virgin Islands
 * Presidential primary: Sep. 13, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Feb. 23, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 9, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: Aug 4, 2008
 * Primary filing deadline: Aug. 11, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Aug. 4, 2008
 * Relevant links: DC's Political Report: Virgin Islands, Election System of the Virgin Islands,

Washington Politics1: Washington Politics1: Washington Politics1: Washington, Washington Secretary of State Elections and Voting
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jun. 6, 2008
 * Primary election: Aug. 19, 2008
 * Presidential primary:
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Feb. 19, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus: Feb. 9, 2008
 * Presidential primary filing deadline: Dec. 21, 2007
 * Relevant links:

West Virginia 
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: Jan 26, 2008
 * Primary election: May 13, 2008
 * Presidential primary: May 13, 2008
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Feb. 5, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus:Mar. 8, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: Aug. 1, 2008
 * Relevant links:DC's Political Report: West Virginia
 * Politics1: West Virginia, West Virginia Secretary of State Elections Division

Wisconsin
 * Congressional election
 * Presidential Primary Ballot filing deadline: Jan. 2, 2008
 * Minor party filing deadline: June 2 2008,
 * Primary filing deadline: July 8, 2008
 * Independent filing deadline: July 8, 2008
 * Presidential filing deadline: 9/2/08,
 * Primary election: Sep. 9, 2008
 * Presidential primary: Feb. 19, 2008
 * Relevant links:Politics1: Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Elections BoardWisconsin State Elections Board: Calendar of Wisconsin Election and Campaign Events

Wyoming Politics1: Wyoming,Wyoming Secretary of State Election AdministrationWyoming Secretary of State Key 2008 Election Dates
 * Congressional election
 * Primary filing deadline: May 30, 2008
 * New party deadline: June 2, 2008,
 * Primary election: Aug. 19, 2008
 * Primary run-off:
 * Presidential primary:
 * Republican Presidential Caucus: Jan. 5, 2008
 * Democratic Presidential Caucus:Mar. 8, 2008
 * Relevant links: DC's Political Report: Wyoming

Democratic presidential primaries
The Democratic National Committee announced a new schedule in August 2006 for the races to choose a 2008 presidential nominee:

Source: Democratic National Committee
 * Iowa still will hold the nation's first caucus on January 14.
 * New Hampshire still conducts the first primary on January 22.
 * Nevada now will hold its caucus on Saturday, January 19, between Iowa and New Hampshire.
 * South Carolina will hold a primary on Tuesday, January 29, a week after New Hampshire's.
 * All other states are eligible to schedule their primaries starting February 5.

Schedule enforcement
The DNC lacks the ability to force individual states to abide by their declared schedule. They can, however, penalize the candidates that take part in those contests. In order to enforce their decree, the DNC announced that any candidate who campaigns in a state that violates the DNC's mandated schedule will be stripped of any delegates won in the violating state's primary. On its website, the DNC states that campaigning is: "making personal appearances in the state, hiring campaign workers, and buying advertising and so on." 

Republican presidential primaries
Internal Republican regulations stipulate that: "No presidential primary, caucus, convention, or other meeting may be held for the purpose of voting for a presidential candidate and/or selecting delegates or alternate delegates to the national convention, prior to the first Tuesday of February in the year in which the national convention is held." This would make Republican scheduling bylaws incompatible with the Democratically-backed plans of several states (New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada, and South Carolina) to move their primaries to January 2007. The rules dictate that a state holding an early primary risks having half its delegates struck from the roll of the nominating convention.

Republicans would have three options in dealing with states that placed the government-sponsored primaries before the stipulated date. They could: Each of these options presents unique difficulties and it is not yet known what the Republicans final solution may be. 
 * 1) Acquiesce, allow the state to pay for an early primary, and not penalize it.
 * 2) Privately fund so-called "firehouse primaries" during the stipulated voting period.
 * 3) Have voters participate in the state run primary voting, but then apportion delegates in February.

Resources

 * Politics1: The 50 State Pages
 * Alabama Secretary of State: Elections Division
 * Alabama Secretary of State: 2008 Election Information
 * Politics1: Alabama
 * AlabamaElections blog
 * VoteTrustUSA: Alabama
 * DNC statement on new primary rules
 * Republican rules governing primaries

Articles

 * Mark Ambinder, "The GOP's View of the '08 Primary Calendar," The Hotline Blog, November 30, 2005.
 * Susan Milligan, "Nevada to hold early '08 caucuses," Boston Globe, July 23, 2006.
 * Adam Nagourney, Democrats Set Primary Calendar," New York Times, August 20, 2006.