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Risinger Discusses Vote to Move Primary Back to March
A lawmaker whose district covers Knox County is a strong supporter of moving the primary election in Illinois back to when it was typically held.

Senator Dale Risinger of Peoria sponsored legislation that the governor signed into law last week to have the Spring 2012 primary election in late March instead of early February.

The 37th District Republican says he actually prefers moving the primary to June, but he agreed to the third Tuesday in March because he believes it's still much better than the first Tuesday in February.

"To have to run and campaign before the holidays is just wrong," Risinger said. "I think having to get out in January and go door-to-door in the winter in the ice and snow really gives the non-incumbent a real problem."

Risinger says the incumbent has the advantage, and he also contends that the election cycle should be shortened. Risinger says between the time a candidate files nominating petitions with the State Board of Elections and the actual election in November, the state's election cycle has become pretty much year-round.

Risinger says some of the benefits of moving the primary election back to late March include cutting the cost of elections, giving elected officials more time to do their jobs and encouraging better voter turnout.
03 22 10 by Newsroom
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