Connecticut Presidential Primary to be Set at April 24

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced Wednesday the 2012 Presidential Primary in Connecticut will be held April 24.

The State Senate unanimously passed a bill that puts Connecticut’s primary on the same day as Pennsylvania, New York and Rhode Island, making it a regional primary. The April 24 date is over two months later than the primary in 2008, when it was held on Feb. 5.

“I am happy to see that the date of our Presidential Preference Primary is now set, and I am looking forward to Governor (Dannel P.) Malloy signing this bill so we can begin preparing for this important election,” Merrill said.  “Pushing the primary date back a little will allow Connecticut to have more regional clout, especially since our neighboring states are also moving their primaries to that day.  This helps both state parties and the voters, who are already paying close attention to the critical process of choosing our President.”

Voters head to the polls on primary day to vote on which Democratic or Republican candidate they prefer to run for president in the 2012 November election.

President Barack Obama is running for reelection on the Democratic ticket, while a field of Republican candidates is out on the trail campaigning — including former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.

According to a press release from Merrill’s office, both Democratic and Republican national committees have provided state parties with incentives to move their primaries to later dates, in an effort to avoid front-loading of the presidential selection process. 

Party leaders from both sides agreed that April 24, 2012 is an acceptable date.