Staff Reports
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Push to Move 2024 Primary to an Earlier Date
In an effort to give Pennsylvania a bigger say in the presidential election, state lawmakers are pushing to move the 2024 primary to an earlier date. This move is backed by both Democrats and Republicans, showing that there is bipartisan support for the idea.
State Rep. Scott Conklin, a Democrat, has announced that he plans to give committee consideration to two bills that would change the primary date. The bills propose moving the primary from April 23 to either March 26 or April 2. The earlier date would ensure that Pennsylvania voters have a greater voice in the nomination process, as the majority of states would have already held their primaries or caucuses by the time Pennsylvanians go to the polls.
According to Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, another Democrat who is sponsoring the legislation, the goal is to make Pennsylvania matter in the presidential election. Currently, by the time the primary reaches Pennsylvania, the race has often been decided by other states. Moving the primary to an earlier date would give Pennsylvania the opportunity to have a real impact on the outcome of the election.
Efforts to move the primary date have been in the works for several years, but previous attempts have failed. However, with bipartisan support and a growing recognition of the need for Pennsylvania’s voice to be heard, there is hope that the legislation will finally pass. The 2024 presidential election is expected to be highly contentious, and Pennsylvania, as a critical battleground state, deserves to have its say earlier in the process.
Overall, this push to move the primary to an earlier date shows the commitment of Pennsylvania lawmakers to ensuring that the voices of all Pennsylvanians are heard in the democratic process. By giving the state a greater role in the nomination process, the legislation aims to make the primary season more family-friendly and inclusive while also increasing Pennsylvania’s influence in national politics.
