State lawmakers moved California's 2008 Presidential primary from the traditional June to February in an effort to give the state more relevance in the race. But Democratic Assemblyman Paul Fong says so many states followed suit that it didn't work. It also meant California held three elections: a February Presidential primary, a June statewide primary and a November general. Fong says that needs to change:
"Three major elections in one year is way too many and so this will bring it back down to two and will increase voter turnout and participation."
Fong says the extra election costs up to 100 million dollars.
He's introduced legislation to move the Presidential primary
back to June. It passed its first committee
unanimously.