MINNEAPOLIS-- Rules that solidify New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary were approved Tuesday at the Republican National Convention.

Republicans voted for a rule that says New Hampshire cannot hold the primary before the third Tuesday in January. The rule, which will go into effect for the 2012 primary, was approved by the entire convention during their Monday session.

"The hope is that Iowa holds their event in mid-January than New Hampshire holds the primary in later January," Sean Mahoney, New Hampshire's Republican National Committeeman, told PolitickerNH.com.

Though Mahoney admitted that if the primary is held earlier than the rule allows New Hampshire could once-again be penalized for violating party rules. This year the RNC cut the state's delegation in half because the primary was held earlier than allowed.

Mahoney credited U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) with helping to establish the rule.

"John McCain has more than any other candidate in this election has stood-up for the primary," he said.