The state Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting voted 4-1 on June 14 to approve the Prime Time Primary Act, authored by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and sponsored by Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

Also known as Senate Bill 568, the legislation would change the state’s presidential primary to one of the first in the nation. California’s primary election is typically held in June, which reduces California’s impact and influence in the presidential primary nomination process, Padilla said.

“A state as populous and diverse as California should not be an afterthought,” Padilla added. “Moving up the California primary makes sense and will give California voters a more significant role. By holding our primary earlier, we will ensure that issues important to Californians are prioritized by presidential candidates from all political parties.”

In 2008, California moved its presidential primary to February, resulting in the highest voter turnout for a primary election since 1980. The goal of SB 568 is to put California’s presidential primary election in the top tier of states holding primaries after Iowa and New Hampshire.

“With the Prime Time Primary, candidates for both parties will have to spend more time in California and our voters will shape the national debate,” Lara said.

Specifically, SB 568 calls for the California presidential primary to be held on the third Tuesday in March and authorizes the governor to move it earlier if other states move up their primary elections. The bill would also consolidate state and presidential primary elections to increase voter engagement in statewide and legislative races that occur during presidential election years.