Primary Games

Michigan wants to move up its Presidential primary to Jan 15. The Republican and Democratic parties will probably respond by threatening to reduce Michigan's delegates at the party nominating conventions. If Michigan is willing to play real hardball, however, they could stop the parties from reducing their influence.

Michigan could pass a law saying that if a political party reduced Michigan's delegates then that party's nominee will not appear on the general election ballot. So if Hillary wins the Democratic nomination and the Dems punish Michigan for holding an early election then to vote for Hillary in the general election a Michigan citizen would have to write in Hillary's name. There is no way that either party would be willing to pay such a high cost.