On March 14, Congressman Sander Levin (D-Mich.) introduced H.R. 1523. It divides the U.S. into six regions for purposes of determing the dates of presidential primaries and caucuses. It also sets up six dates (from March through June of presidential election years). It provides for a lottery to determine which region would vote on which of the six permitted dates.

The bill does not define “political party”, so it is unclear whether it would include parties other than the Democratic and Republican Parties. Also, the bill does not seem to consider that parties probably have a Freedom of Association to set their own caucus dates (for those states that use caucuses, not primaries). Party caucuses are not paid for by state governments, and consequently it is difficult to imagine that a court would let congress tell any party when to hold caucuses. Thanks to Tony Roza for this news.