Pawlenty supports earlier primary

Posted at 10:44 AM on October 29, 2009 by Tim Pugmire
Filed under: Tim Pawlenty

Gov.Tim Pawlenty said today he supports moving up Minnesota's primary elections next year in response to a new federal mandate.

A defense spending bill signed into law by President Obama this week includes a requirement that U.S. Military personnel and other overseas voters get at least 45-days to receive and return their absentee ballots for the general election. Minnesota's September primary currently allows only 30 days. Pawlenty said he'll support legislation next session to move the primary to August. But the Republican governor doesn't want it lumped in with other election reforms.

"We don't want to get in entangled in other things that may be controversial," Pawlenty said. "So, I would ask the Legislature just pass it as a free standing item, or put it in a bill with other non-controversial items."

DFL Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is also recommending quick passage of a primary change next session.

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