In addition to California, three other large states -- New Jersey, Illinois and Florida are likely to hold their presidential primaries on the 5th of February according to an article in today's New York Times. Article here.
Under the 2008 delegate selection rules adopted by the DNC, February 5 is the earliest date that states other than the four which have exemptions may hold their contests.
The presence of such large states so early in the calendar -- just two weeks after New Hampshire and a week following South Carolina -- would fundamentally alter the tactics of campaigns and raise significantly the amount of money campaigns would need to have on hand by the end of this year.
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