Bill changes primary day for Texans
Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) — The presidential primary in Texas would be conducted on the same day as New York and California under legislation given final approval by the Texas House on Friday.

The measure by Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, would move Texas' primary election date to the first Tuesday in March, one week earlier than it is now. The bill, endorsed by the Texas Democratic Party, passed without debate.

Branch said the bill would allow more people to vote because it's not the same week that many families go out of town for spring break.

Branch said the bill also would save thousands of dollars in costs to schools where primaries are conducted because of the added costs of lighting and staffing a closed school.

Under current law, the 2004 primary is scheduled for March 9. The primary would instead be held March 2.

Branch has said that the bill "enhances Texas' place in the selection of the president by moving us up a week."

———

The primary election bill is HB 2496