New Hampshire ? New Hampshire set its earliest-ever presidential primary on Wednesday, deciding on Jan. 8 and claiming its traditional spot as the nation’s first in a nomination season pushed almost to New Year’s Day of the election year.

The decision ends months of speculation, including the possibility that the state might actually move its primary into December to keep its spot at the head of the line. Iowa, which chooses delegates with a caucus system, begins five days earlier on Jan. 3.

New Hampshire primaries often have shaped presidential contests – sometimes dramatically – for nearly a century. Next year’s early date, less than seven weeks from now, resulted from states around the country scheduling their own early primaries and caucuses to attract candidates before the major party nominees are chosen. As a result, both the Democratic and Republican nominees are likely to be effectively known by Feb. 5, when 22 states vote, if not earlier.

Secretary of State Bill Gardner set New Hampshire’s date hours after Michigan’s Supreme Court said that state’s primary could go forward as scheduled on Jan. 15, ending a court battle. New Hampshire waited to make sure Michigan wouldn’t schedule caucuses even earlier.

Iowa’s caucuses have led the schedule for several decades, but New Hampshire has had the initial primary for much longer.