I agree wholeheartedly. This cycle started way too early and it is absurd to have Republican polls in which nonmembers vote.
What are your thoughts on when the primaries are held? I think it makes sense to have a few states at a time, but wonder how to decide which states vote first. How about a lottery style pick where the state that cast the most votes (proportionately) for the republican nominee in the prior election gets their choice of one of five dates (a month apart), and so on down the line?
This might allow the most "republican" states to have a choice of when they want to influence the process.
How about this:
There are five closed primaries held on the second Saturday of Feb, Mar, Apr, May and Jun. RATS and PUBS vote on the same day. (This splitting the voting onto two different days is stupid and costs the taxpayers a ton of money.)
On Dec 1st before the Jan 1st when campaigning can begin, there is a random draw among the 50 states. Those drawing numbers 1-10 will have their primary in Feb, 11-20 in Mar, etc. This give the states having their primary in Feb two and a half months to prepare. Should be plenty of time.
I know there are more than 50 primaries as Wash, DC has one and I think PR has one and maybe Guam, etc. But you get the general idea.
I also think this would be much easier on the candidates.
Another thing to consider is having all candidates who want to run to announce on Dec 1st. Can’t announce before Dec 1st and can’t campaign before Jan 1st.