AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
The State Democratic Executive Committee on
Saturday voted to back a Republican legislator's effort to move next year's
presidential primary up by a week.
Under current law, the
2004 primary is scheduled for March 9. The proposal by Rep. Dan Branch,
R-Dallas, would move it to March 2.
Supporters of the change, which would remain
in effect for future primaries, argue that next year's highlight contest -- the
battle for the Democratic presidential nomination -- will be decided by the
time Texans are supposed to vote March 9.
Because of the proliferation of early
primaries, there is a good chance the Democratic presidential battle will end
March 2, when several large states, including
The House Elections Committee on Friday
approved Branch's measure, House Bill 2496, which now awaits floor debate.
State Democratic Executive Committee support
for the date change was recommended by the panel's legislative committee, which
noted that voter turnout could be reduced on March 9 because the date coincides
with many school districts' spring break. The date also would raise the cost of
primaries because of the added expense of opening polling places at schools
that otherwise would be closed.
kherman@statesman.com; 445-1718