RNC votes to punish N.H. and four other states for holding early primaries

New Hampshire and four other states will lose half of their delegates to the Republican National Convention next summer because they plan to break a party rule blocking states from hold primaries before Feb. 5.

It was a decision the full membership of the Republican National Committee made Thursday.

Besides New Hampshire, states including Wyoming, Michigan, Florida, and South Carolina will also lose half of their convention delegates.

While New Hampshire's secretary of state still has yet to set a primary date, all expectations are that it will occur in January.

Since 1972 both Iowa and New Hampshire have started the presidential primary process. While the Democratic Party gives both states a special status, the Republican Party, until this year, has traditionally allowed both states to break party rules without penalty.

For a small state like New Hampshire the penalty would mean only 12 of the state's 24 slated delegates would get to attend -- and vote -- in the convention.