 |
|
6/24/2026
|
General Assembly OKs bill that would move presidential primary to Super Tuesday
|
STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly today passed legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara and Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain that would effectively move the Rhode Island presidential preference primary to Super Tuesday. The measure now moves to the governor’s office.
The bill (2026-H 7090, 2026-S 2491) would change the date of the primary from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March.
“With the exception of New Hampshire, this will, in effect, create a New England primary, giving Rhode Island citizens greater access to presidential candidates,” said Representative McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston). “I’d like to see more candidates in Rhode Island. When we have greater participation, people are enthused, it will increase voter registration and it will increase participation in democracy.”
Super Tuesday is the day when the greatest number of states schedule their presidential primary elections. About one-third of all delegates to the presidential nominating conventions are chosen on Super Tuesday.
“In the past, candidates have tended to omit Rhode Island from their schedules because they already visited New England prior to Super Tuesday,” said Senator LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston), who serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “By the time the Rhode Island primary rolls around in April, the candidate has essentially been nominated. This will give the state a greater presence on the national election stage.”
Hugh Moren, election administrator for the city of Newport, testified in favor of the legislation, telling the House Committee on State Government and Elections, “Our late primary poses another additional problem beyond disaffected voters and low turnout. Voters are often confused when they see candidates on their ballots who, seeing no path to the nomination, have already suspended their campaigns. The deadline to officially withdraw from the race in Rhode Island may have already passed and ballots may have already been printed with the candidates’ names.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
|
|