Panel vote helps Iowa retain early voting status

A panel of the Democratic National Committee has approved a rule allowing Iowa and three other states to hold delegate selection events ahead of all other states in the 2012 presidential nominating process.

Iowa Democratic Chairman Michael Kiernan says the panel's vote Saturday doesn't settle the issue but is a first step toward Iowa retaining its leadoff spot in the presidential calendar. That status gives the state huge attention from candidates and the media.

Other states allowed to hold early voting were New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Republicans have taken similar steps as the two parties coordinate the early tests on the political calendar.

Kiernan sits on the panel that approved the exceptions at a meeting in Washington.

-The Associated Press