March 07, 2007

"Early presidential primary would cost counties plenty"

"Riverside and San Bernardino counties are likely to hold four major elections within 12 months if a bill that moves up next year's presidential primary from June to February is signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

The Assembly on Tuesday passed the bill on a party-line vote, 46 to 29, and sent it to the governor for his signature. Schwarzenegger has not taken a formal position on the bill, spokesman Aaron McLear said. But the governor has recently promoted the idea of holding an earlier primary.

Proponents, including the Legislature's majority Democrats, said the measure would give the state's nearly 16 million registered voters more of a voice in selecting next year's presidential nominees. In the past, presidential primary races have been all but over by the time Californians voted.

But opponents of SB 113, including Schwarzenegger's fellow Republicans in the Assembly, complained Tuesday that the measure fails to ensure that the Legislature will reimburse counties the estimated $60 million to $90 million it would cost to hold a presidential primary in February instead of June."

The article is here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at March 7, 2007 09:34 AM