Now that Nevada has pegged its caucus for Jan. 14, New Hampshire could be forced to push its first-in-the-nation primary up to December. In fact, it could come as early as Dec. 6, according to a recent statement from Secretary of State William Gardner.

A shuffling of presidential primary dates began when Florida violated Republican Party rules and scheduled its contest for Jan. 31. South Carolina followed with a date of Jan. 21, and Nevada set its date for Jan. 14. Officials in Iowa have tentatively taken Jan. 3 for their caucus.

By state law, New Hampshire must hold its primary at least seven days prior to any similar election (except Iowa’s caucus). That means the primary can take place no later than Jan. 7. But Gardner said he is not willing to sandwich New Hampshire’s primary between such close caucuses in Iowa and Nevada.

“If Nevada does not adjust its caucus date to a later time, I cannot rule out the possibility of a December primary,” he said. “We cannot allow the political process to squeeze us into a date that wedges us by just a few days between two major caucus states.”

Gardner suggested Tuesdays, Dec. 6 or 13 as “realistic options” for the primary. He said logistics are in place to make either date happen.

“Candidates have been campaigning here, and elsewhere, for months, and it is about time we begin the next stage of the presidential nominating process,” he said.

Gardner defended New Hampshire’s early primary status, saying it gives every candidate a chance regardless of their national standing or finances.