Presidential Primary Date Set to Change

Liz Gullett

Feb 03, 2023

Michigan’s presidential primary will occur in February under legislation signed into law this week. Sponsored by Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), the bill moves Michigan’s presidential primary from the second Tuesday in March to February 27, 2024, and to the fourth Tuesday in February for each presidential primary election afterwards. The date change was allowed by the Democratic National Committee. There are a few unknowns with this legislation, namely, it wasn’t given immediate effect, so it won’t be effective until 91 days after the legislature adjourns Sine Die. Sine Die is the final day of session for the year, and it traditionally occurs at the end of December, which wouldn’t provide enough time for the primary to be held in February 2024. The reason it wasn’t given immediate effect was due to a lack of support from the Republican caucus, without which, there wasn’t the necessary two-thirds vote in the chambers. The Republican National Committee doesn’t allow Michigan to hold its presidential primary prior to March 1, thus Michigan would have a significantly lower number of delegates to their national convention if it’s held in February. One potential workaround would be for the legislature to adjourn Sine Die in the fall, then have Governor Gretchen Whitmer call a special session so that the legislature could continue to meet for the remainder of 2023.

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