hillary-clinton-2015

FILE - In this March 23, 2015 file photo, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks in Washington.

(AP Photo | Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

LANSING, MI -- Michigan Democrats are moving back to a presidential primary for 2016, forgoing the party caucus model in a bid to build excitement and encourage participation in the run-up to the general election.

The MDP State Central Committee, in a Saturday meeting at Union High School in Grand Rapids, approved a delegate selection plan proposed last month by Chairman Lon Johnson.

"The committee agreed with our previous argument that moving to a primary would allow the process to be more open and inclusive and allow hundreds of thousands of Democrats all over the state to participate in choosing our next nominee," said spokesman Josh Pugh.

Under the plan, which heads to the Democratic National Committee for review, Michigan Democrats will join Republicans in hosting a presidential primary on March 8, a date already approved by the state Legislature.

The MDP plan would allow any candidate to win a share of delegates if they capture at least 15 percent of the primary vote, but if only one candidate reaches that threshold, the first place finisher could win all Michigan delegates to the Democratic convention.

Pundits expect Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State and First Lady, to run away with the Democratic nomination in her second presidential run.

"It depends on who else gets in to oppose the Hillary Clinton juggernaut, but it won't be much of a primary if you only have one candidate on the ballot," said TJ Bucholz, a political consultant with Vanguard Public Affairs.

Other potential Democratic candidates include Vice President Joe Biden, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee and former Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.

Michigan Democrats held a party caucus rather than a primary in 2012. Four years earlier, the party held a primary but a rules dispute led future President Barack Obama and a handful of other candidates to remove their names from the 2008 ballot.

While the chance to win a share of delegates could encourage a challenger to campaign in Michigan, Bucholz noted that winning 15 percent of the vote may be a big hill to climb for a lesser-known candidate running against Clinton.

While Clinton has faced recent scrutiny over email disclosure and foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation, establishment Democrats across the country have already lined up to back her candidacy.

The Hills reported that early supporters include Michigan U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, along with U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell, Dan Kildee and Sandy Levin.

Even if Clinton is the runaway winner in the Michigan primary, Bucholz said the MDP could benefit by allowing independents to participate in the process.

"Michigan, when you look at it, is neither red nor blue. It's purple," said Bucholz. "It's still thought of as Democratic leaning, but more voters now than ever say they are independent. I think the ability to cast a vote for Hillary is appealing to some of those voters here in Michigan."

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.