On May 21, the Alabama House passed SB 240, which moves the primary for president and all other office to the first Tuesday in March. Existing law is the second Tuesday in March. Assuming the bill is signed, the 2016 primary will be March 1. The bill has the effect of making the petition deadline for newly-qualifying parties and non-presidential independent candidates also due on March 1, instead of March 8 as under the old law.
Any reason to keep the professional politicians of being guaranteed of not having a 3rd party or Independent opposition, they will resort to it. Senator Cam Ward is the only exception!