States Set Early Dates for 2000 Primaries

The 2000 presidential primary calendar is taking final shape, with at least seven states setting their votes for the middle of March or earlier, in what promises to be the most compressed presidential nominating contest ever.

New Hampshire on Thursday set its primary for Feb. 8. Iowa was scheduled to hold its caucuses Feb. 7, but because state law requires that the balloting be held eight days before the New Hampshire primary, that may be changed to Jan. 31.

California set off the surge when it decided to move its primary up to March 7. Since then, Ohio has moved up from late March to March 7. Three other states--Michigan, Virginia and Washington--have decided to vote in February. This means that the nominating contest could be essentially over by mid-March.