GOP Senators Seek To Fast-Forward Primary Election To March
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A group of Republican state senators wants Minnesota to shift its primary election up from August to March in time for next year's presidential race.
One of them, Sen. Julianne Ortman of Chanhassen, says an earlier primary would put Minnesota on the radar of presidential hopefuls and build enthusiasm among voters who are increasingly sitting out primaries. The bill applies to more than just presidential voting but would fast-forward the nominating process to the last week of March for all other offices, too.
Even with a high-profile GOP governor primary last year, only about 10 percent of voters showed up for the August primary. Other proposals would move the date up to June.
But early primary bills have tended to have difficulty in the Legislature. Some have argued it would only lengthen campaign season.
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