New Hampshire has scheduled its first-in-the-nation presidential primary for January 23, as announced by the state's Secretary of State David Scanlan. This date follows the in-person portion of

the Iowa caucuses by eight days and precedes Democratic and Republican showdowns in South Carolina. Despite ongoing battles with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) over the primary calendar, New Hampshire, bound by state law to hold the first-in-the-nation primary, has affirmed its tradition.

The decision by Scanlan, a Republican, has solidified the state's defiance against DNC attempts to shuffle the primary calendar. As a result, New Hampshire Democrats are expected to lose many 2024 delegates to the national convention.

The date is seen as crucial for candidates to win over the historically independent-minded voters in the state. The announcement also puts an end to the Democratic shuffle in New Hampshire's battle with the DNC, leaving the state's Democrats likely to lose delegates and posing challenges for candidates participating in the primary.

The countdown has begun for candidates and election officials to prepare for the primary, with both Republican and Democratic ballots featuring a considerable number of candidates. Despite concerns and disputes, New Hampshire reaffirms its position as a crucial player in the presidential primary process. Photo by Hollis1138, Wikimedia commons.