TRENTON — A state Senate committee has advanced a bill to move New Jersey's presidential primary election back to June. The bill was released today by the State Government Committee and now heads to the full Senate. In 2008, New Jersey held its presidential primary in February hoping to gain more influence over presidential politics. But a number of...
View from the gallery of the Assembly Chamber at the Statehouse in this file photo. The state Assembly approved a bill today involving combined primary elections.TRENTON — A state Senate committee has advanced a bill to move New Jersey's presidential primary election back to June.
The bill was released today by the State Government Committee and now heads to the full Senate.
In 2008, New Jersey held its presidential primary in February hoping to gain more influence over presidential politics. But a number of other states had the same idea, and New Jersey wound up sharing the spotlight with 24 other states.
The regular primary election for state offices is held in June, and the bill calls for the presidential primary to be held on the same date.
State officials estimate the move would save $8 million to $10 million every four years.
A slightly different version of the bill has been approved by the state Assembly.
Related coverage:
• N.J. Senate committee to decide whether to still hold separate presidential primary
• N.J. Assembly to vote on measure to move presidential primary to June
• Assembly panel advances bill to move presidential primary to June
• Editorial: Move N.J.'s presidential primary to save money, not to wield influence