But several states decided to move up their contests, which created a domino effect.
The contests, which are rarer these days, are designed to test a coon hound's mettle.
The appeal of these contests, which are usually turned into exhibitions, is not hard to understand.
Unlike the earlier Republican contests, which allowed Democrats or independents to vote, Florida's primary is closed, permitting only registered Republicans.
Moreover, we are talking about two separate contests, which much of the London Labour selectorate might approach quite differently.
That approach, Mr. Nicholson argues, would maintain public interest until May, unlike this year's contests, which were over in March.
Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society, said turnout looks set to echo 2010, despite the closeness of many constituency contests which might have encouraged more votes.
Naturally, you can watch highlights from the most closely fought contests, which — like their corporeal counterparts — are deemed "ESPN Instant Classics".
Mr. Santorum's success on Tuesday night awarded him no delegates from the contests, which were were essentially nonbinding straw polls and drew small turnouts in all three states.
The Florida primary is closed, so only Republicans can participate, unlike the first three contests, which allowed independents or Democrats to cross over and vote.
But the ruling did not deal with judicial contests, which raise concerns about preserving judicial fairness in the face of heavy election spending.
