Minn. House Votes To Move State Primary To June

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A perennial push to set Minnesota's primary election in early June has advanced through the state House.

The primary would be moved from August beginning in 2013. The House approved the shift on a 66-65 vote on Wednesday as part of a broader elections bill. The Senate would need to go along. A spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton says he's always supported a June primary.

Supporters say the change would increase turnout from the mid-summer election that now competes with summer vacations. They also argue that it would leave more time for contrasts between general election opponents.

Opponents said it would make campaigns more expensive and cause campaigning to spill further into legislative sessions.

Minnesota used to have a September primary, but it was moved to August in 2010.

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