Secretary of State Bill Gardner has set January 8th, 2008 as the date of New Hampshire's Presidential Primary.
Gardner set the date just hours after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that that state could hold its primary on January 15th.
Gardner says the Michigan ruling let him hold up the long tradition of New Hampshire's early primary.
"New Hampshire has held the first in the nation primary since 1920. This tradition has served our nation well and for decades candidates and presidents have said that.
"So, under the authority given to me by New Hampshire law, today I am setting January 8th, 2008 as the date of the New Hampshire primary."
New Hampshire's primary will come just five days after Iowa's first in the nation caucus.
Traditionally, there have been eight days between Iowa and New Hampshire.
But Gardner says he believes New Hampshire citizens will be ready to cast their votes when their turn comes.
