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HJ 48

Interim study on moving the date of the primary election

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Darling

HJ 48 sets up a legislative interim study to evaluate moving the state primary date, assessing administration, costs, turnout, and legal/federal issues to guide future action.

(H) Filed with Secretary of State
#elections #interimstudyresolutions
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Bill Summary · HJ 48

Summary — HJ 48: Interim study on moving the date of the primary election

Status: Joint resolution (interim study) — Filed with Secretary of State (H) on May 6, 2025
Introduced: January 31, 2025
Primary subject areas: Elections, Ballot Issues, Legislature, Interim Studies

Purpose / intent

HJ 48 authorizes a legislative interim study to evaluate whether and how the state’s primary election date should be changed. The study is intended to identify options for moving the primary, and to analyze administrative, legal, fiscal and voter‑behavior consequences of any change so the General Assembly can consider legislative action in a future session.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a joint legislative interim study (conducted by the committee(s) designated in the resolution) to examine issues related to moving the state primary election date.
  • Directs the study to consider topics such as election administration, impacts on voter participation, effects on candidate filing and nominating processes, ballot preparation and printing timelines, absentee/early voting, coordination with federal deadlines and other states, and fiscal costs to the state and municipalities.
  • Requests assistance/analyses from legislative support offices — the Office of Legislative Research and the Office of Fiscal Analysis were formally referred on March 13, 2025 — to inform the study.
  • Requires the study committee to produce findings and recommendations for the General Assembly (timing and reporting specifics are those set out in the resolution).

Note: HJ 48 is a study resolution (not a statutory change); it does not itself move the primary date.

Who is affected / stakeholders

  • State and local election officials (Secretary of the State, registrars, municipal clerks) — for implementation, ballot production, staffing and scheduling.
  • Voters — potential changes could influence turnout, access to early/absentee voting, and voter information timelines.
  • Political parties, candidates and campaigns — filing deadlines, nomination processes and campaign calendars could shift.
  • State and municipal budgets — potential one‑time and ongoing costs for changing election logistics.
  • Election vendors and third‑party service providers.

Legislative progress and timeline

  • Introduced Jan 31, 2025; public hearing held Feb 7, 2025.
  • Referred to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections and later to State Administration committees in each chamber.
  • Committee and floor actions occurred during March–April 2025; House passed the resolution and it was transmitted to the Senate.
  • Senate concurred with committee actions; HJ 48 was returned from enrolling, signed by legislative leaders (Speaker and Senate President) on May 5–6, 2025, and filed with the Secretary of State on May 6, 2025.
  • Legislative offices (OLR, OFA) were asked to review and assist with the study on March 13, 2025.

Possible impacts and issues for the study to address

  • Administrative feasibility and necessary statutory changes to shift dates.
  • Cost estimates for implementation and whether state or municipalities would incur significant additional expenses.
  • Effects on voter turnout and access, particularly early and absentee voting.
  • Alignment/conflict with federal primary deadlines, presidential primary scheduling, and other states.
  • Impacts on candidate filing windows, primary-to-general election transition, and ballot certification schedules.

Related draft: LC 4484 (replacement reference).

This resolution sets up a fact‑finding process to inform legislators about the tradeoffs of moving the primary date; any actual change to election dates would require subsequent legislation.

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

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