On October 22, the Executive Committee of the National Republican Committee voted to punish 5 states for choosing delegates too early. The full Republican National Committee will decide whether to implement this recommendation next month. The five state Republican Parties would lose half their delegates to the national convention, because they are choosing delegates before February 5. The five states are Wyoming, Michigan, South Carolina, Florida and New Hampshire. UPDATE: on October 23, the Republican National Committee formally approved this idea, so it is final.

Unlike the Democratic National Committee, the Republican National Committee does not give special privileges to any state party. The Democratic National Committee lets four particular states (New Hampshire, Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina) choose delegates earlier than February 5. Thanks to Thomas Jones for this news.