By Mary Jo Pitzl | The Republic | azcentral.com
Taking to heart the “vote early” mantra, an Arizona House panel suggests moving the state’s primary election up by three weeks.
The idea grew out of a proposal from Rep. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, whose House Bill 2138 originally suggested moving the primary to the third week in May.
Shope noted that under the current system, once the late-August primary is concluded, it’s a sprint to the general election in early November. For example, early voting for the general election starts about 30 days after the primary ballots are counted. That gives voters little time to contemplate their choices, and limits the time candidates have to spread their message.
