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Quinn Signs Primary Date Change
The date of the Illinois primary was changed three years ago, but the state is moving it back. Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill Wednesday to return the primary date to the traditional date of the third Tuesday in March.

The February primary this year featured one of the lowest voter turnouts in Illinois history. State Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) says voters faced snowy conditions when heading to the polls. There is also speculation many voters stayed home because they simply felt they couldn’t make an informed decision. Candidates had little time to campaign and raise money between the holiday season and the February primary.

Quinn says that will no longer be a problem, and voters won't have to worry about opening Christmas cards along with political mail. State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) supported the bill because he felt the change was a mistake to begin with.

The primary date was changed to the first Tuesday in February in 2007 to help Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 18 10 by Newsroom
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