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From 1831 to 1913
Beginning in 1831, except for the Republicans that year, New Hampshire chose delegates interested in or committed to certain presidential candidates at town caucuses held throughout the state, then sent them to the state conventions of their own political parties.
The state party conventions, in turn, selected from the delegates those who would attend the party's national convention where the party's presidential nominee was eventually determined.
In 1913, the nominating procedure was changed. The New Hampshire Legislature introduced the presidential primary. The caucus system was never used again in our state.
A new law allowed delegates from the political parties to be listed on a state-wide ballot for election to the national convention. Any delegate was permitted to file either as "pledged" to a particular presidential candidate or as "uncommitted." Long lists of candidates resulted and the process became burdensome for everyone. Through the years, many more changes had to be made.
Only 18% of registered voters turned out in 1944, and only 27% in 1948.
Word Watch
A candidate is a person who seeks or is
nominated for an office, prize, or honor.
To nominate a candidate means to name or put forward a person who is eligible for office, prize, or honor. It's like entering a horse in a race.
A delegate is a person acting for another; a representative to a convention or conference.
Major changes in the New Hampshire Primary !
In 1949, the Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives improved the primary process. The tale that follows is an example of some very effective changes a wise leader can accomplish.
ONE MAN, ONCE AGAIN, MADE A DIFFERENCE
Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives Richard F. Upton decided in 1949 to make the primary "more interesting and meaningful ... so there would be a greater turnout at the polls." Thus, he began devoting his efforts to broadening the process to get more citizens involved. A brilliant and responsible legislative leader, he caused significant changes to be made:
1) By permitting citizens to vote directly for presidential candidates who had submitted fifty supportive petitions from each of the two congressional districts.
2) By allowing citizens to vote for pledged delegates who had actually obtained the approval of a candidate for president. Qualifying delegates who had not received prior approval from their candidate before filing as pledged could be designated as favorable or uncommitted.
The Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives must work with the President of the State Senate, and with the Governor of New Hampshire to direct us wisely. It's difficult to get all these people to agree, but that's how we check and balance. Speaker Upton's idea was applauded by all sides.
The new law caught favorable national media attention.
The revised rules were first applied in the 1952 election, and that's when
the importance of holding the first primary in New Hampshire struck the nation.
It was nicknamed "the presidential beauty contest."
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