Ohio lawmakers set the table for Gov. John Kasich to potentially take all of the Buckeye State’s GOP presidential delegates in one swoop next year. By moving the state’s 2016 primary election back a week — from March 8 to March 15 — Ohio’s Republican vote will be a winner-take-all contest. The Senate gave the legislature’s final approval on Wednesday, 23-10. The measure becomes law with Kasich’s signature.
Ohio likely will join Florida, Missouri and possibly Illinois with primaries on March 15 next year — the first date allowed under national GOP rules in which states can hold winner-take-all primaries and not suffer any potential loss of convention delegates.
Although Kasich has not formally declared his White House candidacy, he is widely expected to join the crowded field this summer. He must be a declared candidate (and rank high enough in national polls) to qualify for the Aug. 6 GOP presidential debate in Cleveland.
Full Article: Move to delay Ohio’s 2016 primary could aid Kasich | The Columbus Dispatch.