First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary

By Hugh Gregg
Hugh, Gregg. "New Hampshire’s First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary", State of New Hampshire Manual for the General Court, (Department of State) No.55, 1997.

"Frontloading" in 1996

      In 1996 New Hampshire held its primary on February 20 and twenty-seven other states held theirs within a five-week period thereafter, ending on March 26. The acceleration of these elections made it impossible for the candidates to schedule sufficient campaign time in those states, limiting them to target mailings, TV/radio advertising and hasty airport receptions.