The Republican Party’s national convention in 2008 will nominate candidates for president and vice-president so late (September 3 or September 4) that the party will be unable to comply with state election laws in four states. Alabama, California, Illinois and Montana require parties to certify their national ticket earlier than that. However, the Illinois bill to move the primary from March to February contains a provision easing the deadline. Since the bill to move the Illinois primary is expected to pass, that will solve the Republican Party’s problem in that state. The Illinois bill is HB 426, and it will probably pass the House in the coming week.