Ohio Governor Signs Bill Moving Primary in Presidential Years from Early March to Mid-March

On June 8, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed HB 153, which moves the primary for all office (in presidential years) from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, to the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March.

As a result, the 2016 primary moves from March 8 to March 15. That also moves the petition deadline for non-presidential independents from March 7 to March 14. Thanks to Josh Putnam for this news.

Also on June 8, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed HB 2104, the omnibus election law bill that eliminates the Kansas presidential primary. Kansas hasn’t actually held a presidential primary since 1992, because the budget never had enough money for it in subsequent years and the legislature would always pass a bill suspending it for the upcoming election. So, realistically, this isn’t a meaningful change. Other states that won’t hold a presidential primary for any party in 2016 are Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. There is still a tiny chance that the special session of the Washington state legislature could restore a presidential primary.


Comments

Ohio Governor Signs Bill Moving Primary in Presidential Years from Early March to Mid-March — 1 Comment

  1. Under current law Washington will hold a presidential primary in 2016.

    There is a possibility that the Washington legislature will axe funding for the primary.

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