Legislation to elevate the political influence of one of the nation’s most populous states by bumping up California’s presidential primary received bipartisan support this week as it heads toward the Assembly floor. Assembly-man Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, seeks to move California’s typically June primary to the first Tuesday of March during presidential elections. On Wednesday, Mullin’s bill passed 6-1 through the Assembly’s Committee on Elections and Redistricting, garnering support and dissent from two Republicans. The goal is to provide California, the sixth largest economy in the world and where 1 in 8 U.S. voters resides, with a more influential role in deciding presidential nominations for both the Republican and Democratic parties, Mullin said.
… The bill would kick in 2020 and only affect presidential-year elections when state and presidential races are consolidated in March. All other gubernatorial primaries would continue to be held in June.
It’s one of two proposals currently winding through the historically blue state’s Legislature that were partially inspired by President Donald Trump’s rise to power.
Iowa and New Hampshire, which vote even earlier than the March primaries known as Super Tuesdays, are often looked to as highly influential in a candidate’s campaign.
Full Article: Moving to March primary gaining traction: Legislation on presidential races passes key Assembly committee – – San Mateo Daily Journal.