Maryland moves back its primary election three weeks

Erin Cox
Contact ReporterThe Baltimore Sun
Maryland lawmakers voted to move the state's presidential primary back three weeks in 2016.

Maryland lawmakers voted Thursday to move the state's presidential primary contest back three weeks to April 26, 2016.

The change shifts the election further from the Easter holiday, which would have coincided with the first day of early voting that year. It moves the primary from from the same day as neighboring Washington, D.C., but allows Maryland voters to head to the polls the same day as those in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

By late April, 28 other states and the District of Columbia will have already nominated candidates for the presidential election.

The change, given final approval by the Senate Thursday, would also effect Baltimore City's municipal elections.

The shift is headed to Gov. Larry Hogan for his signature. The governor has not taken a public position on moving the primary date. 
