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HB 7090

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doc Corvese and 3 co-sponsors

Rhode Island moves the primary for national convention delegates and presidential preference to the first Tuesday in March every four years, starting 2028, with a one-time 2024 exc

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 7090

Bill Summary: HB 7090 (Rhode Island) — Primaries for Election of Delegates to National Conventions and for Presidential Preference

Date introduced: January 14, 2026
Committee: House State Government & Elections
Sponsors: Rep. McNamara (principal), Rep. Corvese, Rep. Shekarchi, Rep. Diaz; Co-sponsors: Joe Shekarchi, Grace Diaz, Doc Corvese, Joseph McNamara

1) Purpose and Intent

HB 7090 seeks to amend Rhode Island law governing the scheduling of primaries for selecting delegates to national party conventions and for presidential preference. The bill shifts the timing of these primaries to align with a future date and clarifies a one-time variation for a past election.

2) Key Provisions

  • Section 17-12.1-1 (Amended language):
    • For the national convention delegate primaries and presidential preference primaries for each political party, the primary shall be held on:
    • The fourth Tuesday in April 2012 (existing text) is updated to the first Tuesday in March 2028, and then every four years thereafter.
    • Exception: For the 2024 primary election only, the election of delegates to the national convention and presidential preference shall be conducted on April 2, 2024.
  • Effective Date:
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • Political parties in Rhode Island that hold primaries to select delegates to national conventions and determine presidential preference.
  • Voters participating in those primaries (district-by-district and statewide procedures for delegate selection and presidential preference).
  • Election administrators responsible for scheduling and conducting primaries.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Baseline change:
    • The regular primary date for these elections will move from the previously stated fourth Tuesday in April to:
    • The first Tuesday in March 2028, and subsequently every four years thereafter.
  • Temporary 2024 exception:
    • Explicit recognition that the 2024 primary (a past election) would be held on April 2, 2024, as a one-time deviation.
  • Effective date:
    • Immediate upon passage; the change would apply to future cycles starting with 2028 (and beyond), with the 2024 date treated as an exception per the bill text.

5) Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Coordinated Scheduling: Shifting to March may affect campaign calendars, early voting periods, and delegate allocation dynamics.
  • Administrative Adjustments: State election officials would need to adjust calendars, vendor contracts, and public communications to reflect the March date for subsequent cycles.
  • Voter Context: A move earlier in the year could interact with other state and federal election dates, potentially affecting voter turnout logistics and participation.
  • Consistency: The bill establishes a four-year cycle (March 1st Tuesday) for primaries, aligning Rhode Island with a new, consistent schedule for delegate selection and presidential preference.

6) Bottom Line

HB 7090 is a targeted, technical change to Rhode Island’s primary scheduling for national convention delegates and presidential preference, advancing the primary date to the first Tuesday in March 2028 and continuing every four years thereafter, with a one-time 2024 exception. The act takes effect on passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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