JACKSONVILLE (ActionNewsJax.com) -- The state of Florida is expected to schedule its Republican presidential primary on Jan. 31, 2012, a move that -- if true -- could severely alter the GOP's nominating process, according to a report on CNN.
The cable news network reported Wednesday morning that Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon said a state commission studying potential dates is expected to suggest Jan. 31 as the date for the nominating election.
"We are expecting to meet on Friday and I expect that they will pick Jan. 31 as Florida's primary date," Cannon was quoted as saying on CNN's Website.
If Florida does agree to a January nominating contest, other states like New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina could decide to reschedule their primary elections to as to precede Florida's date. The move by Florida would also run afoul of RNC rules that prohibit any state other than Iowa, Nevada, South Carolina and New Hampshire, from holding their contest before March 6.
CNN reported that RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and other GOP leaders have been trying to convince Florida party leaders to stick with their original date or hold their nominating contest in February.
The state could be sanctioned by Republican leaders if it moves forward with a January or February primary because GOP officials would have the power to slash the number of delegates Florida sends to the Republican National Convention, scheduled for August 2012 in Tampa.
ActionNewsJax.com Staff Writer Alfred Charles contributed to this report. He can be reached at acharles@nptvgroup.com.
