A bill to move the Pennsylvania Primary Election in 2024 to mid-March has passed the state Senate.
The bill’s is prime sponsor is Sen. Dave Argall. On Wednesday, it passed the Senate on a 45-2 vote.
Argall says moving up the Pennsylvania Primary vote in 2024 will give the state more influence in how Primary voters choose their candidates in other states. He says by the time Pennsylvania’s Primary typically rolls around, each of the two major party’s nominee is all but decided.
“As the fifth largest state in the country, we should have a stronger role in selecting the candidates for President of the United States. In most Presidential Primary elections, the outcome is largely decided before our voters have a chance to make their voice heard at the polls,” Argall says.
Another reason for moving up the Primary date in 2024 is because the current date – April 23 – conflicts with Passover and would “disenfranchise” Jewish voters.
Here’s a summary of the legislation language regarding the proposal to change the date of the Presidential Primary election in Pennsylvania in 2024:
- Date of General Primary:
- Typically, the General primary is held on the third Tuesday of May in even-numbered years.
- For Presidential election years, it’s on the fourth Tuesday of April.
- For 2024, the General primary would be on March 19.
- Nomination Petitions:
- Signers can only sign one nomination petition for each office unless multiple persons are to be elected to the same office.
- Signers must declare their party affiliation, that they’re a qualified elector of the mentioned county or political district, provide their registered address, and the date of signing.
- Typically, nomination petitions can’t be circulated before the thirteenth Tuesday before the primary, and signatures must be dated between the thirteenth and tenth Tuesday prior to the primary.
- For 2024, petitions can’t be circulated before the eleventh Tuesday before the primary, and signatures must be dated between the eleventh and eighth Tuesday prior to the primary.
- Filing of Nomination Petitions:
- Typically, nomination petitions should be filed by the tenth Tuesday prior to the primary.
- For 2024, they should be filed by the eighth Tuesday prior to the primary.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for its consideration and vote.
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