Just 4 years after moving Alabama's Presidential primary election to February, to "gain influence" or something like that, the Alabama Legislature is looking into moving it back in line with other state primaries to save money:
"We are in the mode now of looking after needs instead of wants," said Alabama Rep. Steve Clouse, who introduced a bill to move his state's primary from February or March to June, when it can be merged with a primary for state offices.Alabama GOP Chairman Bill Armistead is opposed to the idea:
The move could save nearly $4 million. The governor has recommended $159 million in cuts to more than 200 programs to balance the budget.
"This is democracy and we should participate in it," said Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead, who opposes delaying the primary.
The cost of an early primary could be justified in a state at the front of the primary calendar because of the influence it brings, but it would be difficult to justify the cost of being one of 20 on Super Tuesday, said Zac McCrary, senior associate with the Democratic polling firm Anzalone Liszt Research.
States looking to combine presidential and state primaries in May or June can draw hope from how the 2008 Democratic race between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton went late into the season.
"That was the exception to the rule," McCrary said.
