What is meant by frontloading in electoral primaries?

Frontloading in electoral primaries refers to the practice of scheduling primary elections earlier in the election cycle. This strategy is often employed by states to increase the importance and relevance of their contests, thereby giving candidates who perform well in early primaries a significant advantage in terms of momentum, media coverage, and fundraising opportunities. By scheduling primaries early, states can elevate their influence in the nomination process, as candidates aim to secure a strong lead in delegates before the later primaries, which may be less competitive. This can lead both to a more rapid conclusion of the primary process and to an emphasis on initial contests where candidates can quickly establish themselves as front-runners.