2015 Senate Bill 44 / Public Act 1

Revise GOP presidential primary date

Introduced in the Senate

Jan. 28, 2015

Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R-14)

To require the Republican presidential primary election to be conducted on the third Tuesday in March, rather than on the fourth Tuesday in February as currently required.

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Government Reform

Feb. 10, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Feb. 12, 2015

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Bill 59, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. SB 59 would eliminate the requirement that a person give one of the reasons specified in statute for requesting an absentee ballot.

The amendment passed 12 to 26 (details)

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To require the Republican presidential primary election to be conducted on the second Tuesday in March, rather than on the fourth Tuesday in February as currently required. In 2016 this would be March 8, "super-Tuesday".

Received in the House

Feb. 13, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Elections

Feb. 17, 2015

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Amendment offered by Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-86)

To shift the proposed presidential primary date from March 15, 2016 to March 8.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Feb. 18, 2015

Passed in the House 72 to 38 (details)

To require the Republican presidential primary election to be conducted on the third Tuesday in March, rather than on the fourth Tuesday in February as currently required. In 2016 this would be March 8.

Received in the Senate

Feb. 19, 2015

Passed in the Senate 37 to 1 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Feb. 19, 2015