As the Democratic National Convention begins in Denver this week, one controversial issue apparently is going to be settled, Cox News Service reports.

On Sunday, the convention's credentials committee ruled that Florida and Michigan will receive full voting rights although they held their primaries too early, defying party rules.

That is according to the wishes of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the party's presumed presidential candidate. The decision was expected to be ratified by acclamation on Monday.

The states' decisions to hold their primaries before Feb. 5 in violation of party regulations placed the Democrats in a quandary. Out of respect for party rules, Neither Sen. Obama nor New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned in the states. Mr. Obama's name did not even appear on the Michigan ballot.

In May, the rules committee elected to seat the delegates but allow them only half a vote. Supporters of Sen. Clinton, who won both primaries, argued that Democrats who voted in the primaries had been disenfranchised.

The latest decision will not affect the choice of a candidate as Mr. Obama's nomination is assured. But the committee's decision to allow full votes to the 211 Florida delegates and 157 Michigan delegates is a symbolic gesture to support party unity.

But the controversy created by some states scheduling their primaries early, in violation of party rules, will have to be addressed before the next presidential election.