[S]en. Anthony Pollina, D/P/W-Washington, wants Vermont to hold its presidential primary the same day as neighboring New Hampshire, and he’s introduced a bill to do just that.
The former gubernatorial candidate and longtime state legislator says the purpose is twofold: It would give the state an “economic shot in the arm,” and it would give Vermonters a greater role in choosing the president.
“There’s a lot of money generated during primary season, and there’s no reason why Vermont shouldn’t reap some of the benefits of the early primary,” Pollina said.
Towns along the Connecticut River may stand to benefit the most, but much of Vermont would likely see an increase in hotel nights, meals out and mass media buys, he said.
It would also be good early in the electoral process to “have more liberal and progressive voices heard” so that they can help “shape the debate” and play a larger role in deciding the eventual nominees.
Pollina said he didn’t have Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in mind when he introduced the legislation, but he sees how it could have “ancillary benefits” for the potential presidential candidate.
The proposal is unlikely to win Pollina any friends in the Granite State, which is fiercely proud of its first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Electoral law in New Hampshire allows the Secretary of State there to adjust the primary to precede any state that tries to preempt them.
However, Pollina may have found a way around that as the language of his bill doesn’t target a specific date for Vermont’s presidential primary, but rather directs the Secretary of State to hold it “the same day as New Hampshire.”
Logistical considerations abound, and it’s unclear how scheduling would work. It would essentially force Vermont to hold a special election, in order to sync with New Hampshire. There would also have to be a second primary election for statewide contests.
Secretary of State Jim Condos questioned the need for the legislation.
“I would ask why this change is necessary – does it support voter rights or help provide greater access to eligible voters?” Condos said in a statement on Friday. “My answer to these questions would be that it does not and could potentially limit access for certain groups depending on the implementation of such a law and New Hampshire’s reaction.”
It’s unknown how much support there is in the Statehouse for an early primary, but Pollina said the introduction of the bill was well received in the Senate chamber, and people have stopped him in the halls to say they think it’s a good idea.
The bill is now before the Senate Government Operations Committee, where Chairwoman Jeannette White, D-Windham, said it will get a hearing at some point, but she could not say when.
