New York State Senator James Skoufis, and Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson, both Democrats, have introduced S1687 and A5058. The bills end the practice of having the presidential primary in April, followed by primaries for other office in June. Instead there would be only one primary for all offices, in late June.
Assemblymember Andrew Molitor, a Republican, has introduced A4421, which moves the non-presidential primaries from June to August.
Oregon State Senator Fred Girod (R-Stayton) has introduced SB 392, to move the primaries for all office from May to March, in presidential years. This is probably motivated by a desire to have Oregon’s presidential primary play a bigger role in the major party presidential nomination process.
On February 13, the South Dakota House passed HB 1169. It requires initiatives for constitutional amendments to get the signatures of 5% of the last gubernatorial vote in each legislative district. South Dakota has 35 legislative districts. Currently there is no distribution requirement for such petitions.
All six Democrats voted against the bill. Also three Republicans voted against it: Roger DeGroot, Mike Weisgram, and Mike Stevens.
Ohio State Senator William DeMora (D-Franklin) has introduced SB 37, to move the primaries for all office in presidential years from March to May. If the bill passed, that would automatically move the petition deadline for non-presidential independent candidates from March to May.
The Wyoming Senate Corporations Committee did not hear HB 173 at its meeting on February 14. It will be heard on Wednesday, February 19. This is the bill that makes ballot access for independent candidates significantly more restrictive.
