After a year-long campaign, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination could be decided within three weeks early next year. The primary season starts with the Iowa caucus on January 14th, which is usually followed by the New Hampshire primary just over a week later, on January 22nd.
Next year, however, Nevada is moving its caucus forward to January 19th, and New Hampshire is considering an earlier date, possibly in December 2007, to maintain its position as one of the first states to vote.
South Carolina will be the first southern state to hold a primary, on January 29th, but up to 20 states - or half of the population of the US - could vote a week later, on February 5th.
The move by big states such as Florida and California to bring forward their primaries is designed to maximise their influence on candidates. It is likely to benefit candidates such as Clinton, who are able to raise the massive sums - estimated between $75 million (€57 million) and $100 million (€76 million) - needed to campaign heavily in early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire as well as running expensive ads in big states that will vote on February 5th.
The Democratic convention is not due to take place before summer 2008 but most commentators expect the contest for the nomination to be sealed within the first six weeks of the new year. The US presidential election will be held on November 4th, 2008.