Perhaps the time has come for state government not to fund primaries, well those pertaining to federal elections, and, thereby, have no control over the timing. States wouldn't be able to play God; while sanctions would not need to be imposed that deny the rights of voters to have their say. It is this, after all, what I find most objectionable 
Couldn't primaries be federally funded with federal law determining the schedule? After full consultation with both the DNC and the RNC, of course
The federal government has zero authority over the process by which presidential electors are appointed in each State. They can choose the time of appointment (first Tuesday after first Monday in November), and the day they meet in each state and cast their electoral votes (Monday 5 weeks later).
Congress does have the authority equivalent to a state legislature with respect to the District of Columbia's 3 electors.
