Sponsors tell committee moving presidential-year primaries to May would bring consistency and ease election administration

Sponsors of House Bill 197 told the House General Government Committee the bill would move Ohio’s presidential-year primary election to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, making presidential and non‑presidential primary dates uniform and, they argued, reducing confusion and administrative burdens.

"This bill moves Ohio's presidential election year primary election date to the same date as the non‑presidential election year primary date," Representative Troy said in sponsor testimony, adding that "voter confusion will be minimized with a consistent date every spring" and that boards of elections could better staff polling locations. Co‑sponsor Representative Brown Piccolantonio said the change would support Ohio's 88 boards of elections by making staffing and procurement more predictable.

Members pressed sponsors on several points. Representative John and Representative Jones questioned whether moving the date would actually shorten the campaign season for incumbents; sponsors responded that a consistent May date would compress the overall primary cycle and shift filing deadlines closer to the election year so petitioning occurs nearer election administration. Representative Sintenberg and others emphasized weather and turnout, with sponsors arguing May typically offers better weather than March and could improve turnout and precinct election official recruitment.

Several members asked for comparative data from other states and for evidence showing the May date materially improves staffing or turnout; sponsors and supporters said the Ohio Association of Election Officials supports the change and could provide specific metrics in later hearings. The committee held the first hearing for HB197 and did not take a committee vote at this session.

Next steps: sponsors said they would supply additional evidence to answer members’ data requests in future hearings.