Already, the primary election schedule has been thrown into turmoil, with large states like Florida and California ditching traditional dates later in the year, demanding more of a say in who gets to battle for the White House.

Instead of a five-month season of state tests to decide the nominees, the whole process is being crammed into a few feverish weeks.

South Carolina Republican chairman Katon Dawson was Thursday set to announce the date voters would select their party nominee at a news conference in another key state, New Hampshire, a South Carolina state party source said.

Several reports said Wednesday he would name a date ahead of Florida's nominating primary -- which has already been moved forward to January 29.

Since New Hampshire law states it must be the "first in the nation" primary, South Carolina's expected move could force the northeastern state to jog its own fabled primary contest forward from its expected date of January 22.

In the confusing game of electoral consequences, that could in turn prompt midwestern Iowa, to shift its caususes forward from January 14, to keep its status as the first presidential contest.

Iowa officials would have to consider whether to infuriate voters and campaigns by holding the caucuses just after the Christmas and New Year period, or bring them back to December this year.

Traditionally, every four years, beginning nine months before presidential elections held in November, the Democratic and Republican parties go from state to state holding primary contests and caucuses to chose a nominee.

The Democratic Primary in South Carolina, traditionally the 'first in the south' contest, has been set for January 29.