Gov. Snyder signs legislation moving Michigan's presidential primary to March

Moves February elections to March in presidential primary years

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan presidential primary has been moved to March 8, 2016 as Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Friday to set the new date.

Senate bills 44 and 45, sponsored by state Sen. David Robertson, change the date of the statewide presidential primary from the fourth Tuesday in February to the second Tuesday in March.

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The bills also change the regular February election to the new March date during years when a statewide presidential primary is being held in Michigan.

"Presidential primaries are an important part of our democratic process," Snyder said in a news release. "This legislation ensures Michiganders can exercise their right to vote while ensuring no extra costs are incurred to our local governments to administer presidential primaries."

Michigan has regularly held statewide presidential primary elections since 1972.

The new legislation puts Michigan in line with the new rules set by the Republican National Committee for scheduling primary elections and caucuses. Michigan's number of delegates could have been reduced by 80 percent had Michigan remained in violation.

The bills are Public Acts 1 and 2 of 2015.