A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star
Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday signed legislation setting the primary for state and local elections on the first Tuesday in August of even-numbered years. That compares with the current law when voters go to the polls on the last Tuesday of that month.
Ducey provided no explanation of his decision to sign the measure, which drew bipartisan support.
Proponents of the law, which takes effect for the 2020 race, said county election officials have complained they need more time after the primary to deal with challenges and to prepare for the general election, which remains the first Tuesday in November.
In fact, this is the second time the election date has been moved up: A decade ago the primary was the first Tuesday in September.
