Democrats vote to move up Nevada caucus, S.C. primary

The Democratic Party intends to add Nevada and South Carolina to the opening chapter of the 2008 presidential campaign, with a key panel deciding yesterday to introduce the voice of Western and Southern voters to the Iowa-New Hampshire duet.

At a meeting yesterday in Washington, the rules and bylaws committee of the Democratic National Committee voted to place Nevada between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, the two contests that traditionally have launched the race. The group voted to add a South Carolina primary soon after New Hampshire's.

Nevada, which will hold a party caucus, edged out Arizona for the Western slot, and South Carolina beat Alabama for the Southern position in the first significant calendar restructuring in years.

The panel's decision will be presented to the full Democratic National Committee when it meets in Chicago on Aug. 19. The recommendations are typically ratified.