The Green Papers
The Green Papers
Statutory Election Information
of the Several states

Portrait Format
Landscape Format

General Election only
Presidential Primary only
State Primary only
Polling times only

State General Election Presidential Primary State Primary Polling times
Alabama
  • (2006--) The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, senators and representatives ... shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2006, and every fourth year thereafter. A president of the Public Service Commission shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2008, and every fourth year thereafter. [§17-14-3]
  • (--2006) Section 17-16-6. Presidential preference primaries and primary elections, except special primary elections ... shall be held on the first Tuesday in June....
  • (2007-2011) Section 17-13-100 (a) Primary elections for the purpose of determining the preferred candidates for President of the United States shall be held the first Tuesday in February each year in which a President is to be elected beginning in the year 2008. (c) (2) Qualified electors in Mobile County, Baldwin County, and any county that recognizes Mardi Gras as a county holiday may vote in the presidential preference primary on the Wednesday preceding the first Tuesday in February. (4) When early voting is provided, votes on that day shall be counted by poll workers at the voting centers and the results shall be sealed without disclosure... such results shall remain sealed until the first Tuesday in February, when the final tabulation and canvassing shall be conducted, after which all results shall be announced at the same time.
  • (2011-2015) Primary elections for the purpose of determining the preferred candidates for President of the United States shall be held the second Tuesday in March each year in which a President is to be elected beginning in the year 2012. [§17-13-100a]
  • (2015--) Primary elections for the purpose of determining the preferred candidates for President of the United States shall be held the first Tuesday in March each year in which a President is to be elected beginning in the year 2016. [§17-13-100a]
  • (--2006) Section 17-16-6. Presidential preference primaries and primary elections, except special primary elections ... shall be held on the first Tuesday in June.... 17-16-36.(b) If no candidate receives a majority of all of the votes cast in the primary election ... then there shall be held a second primary election on the sixth Tuesday following the primary election....
  • (2006-2011) Section 17-13-3. Primary elections, except special primary elections and presidential preference primaries ... shall be held on the first Tuesday in June.
    Section 17-13-18. (b) If no candidate receives a majority of all of the votes cast ..., then there shall be held a second primary election on the sixth Tuesday following the primary election.
  • (2011-2015) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the first Tuesday in June. When necessary ... a second or runoff primary election shall be held on the sixth Tuesday following the primary election. [§17-13-3 (a)]
    In years in which a presidential primary is conducted, the primary election shall be the second Tuesday in March. [§17-13-3 (b)]
  • (2015-2019) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the first Tuesday in June. When necessary ... a second or runoff primary election shall be held on the sixth Tuesday following the primary election. [§17-13-3 (a)]
    In years in which a presidential primary is conducted, the primary election shall be the first Tuesday in March. [§17-13-3 (b)]
  • (2019--) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the 4th Tuesday in May. When necessary ... a second or runoff primary election shall be held on the 4th Tuesday following the primary election. [§17-13-3 (a)]
    In years in which a presidential primary is conducted, the primary election shall be the first Tuesday in March. [§17-13-3 (b)]
  • Code of Alabama Section 11-46-28. (a) Every polling place shall open for voting at 7:00 A.M. and shall close at 7:00 P.M. and shall remain open for voting for not less than 12 consecutive hours. All polling places in areas operating on eastern time may open and close under this section pursuant to eastern time.
Alaska
  • Tuesday after 1st Monday in November of every even-numbered year [AK Statutes 15.15.020]
    (NOTE: Article V, Section 5 of the AK Constitution sets the 2nd Tuesday in October of every even-numbered year as the General Election date but also allows that "the month and day may be changed by law" [and so it has been!])
  • (--1984) None... Presidential Primary legislation [AK Statutes 15.25.220-15.25.280] repealed, 1984
  • (--2013) 4th Tuesday in August of every even-numbered year [AK Statutes 15.25.020]
  • (2013--) ... third Tuesday in August of every even-numbered year. [AK Statutes 15.25.020]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 8 PM local time
    [AK Statutes 15.15.080(a)]
American Samoa
  • Elections shall be held biennially in each even numbered year beginning on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November ... [REVISED CONSTITUTION OF AMERICAN SAMOA, Article II, Section 5]
  • The polls shall be opened by the district officials at 6 a.m. of the election day and shall be kept open continuously until 6 p.m. of that day. [American Samoa Code Annotated, Title 6, Chapter 07, Section 6.0701]
Arizona
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-211 (in conformity with AZ Constitution: Article 7, Section 11)]
  • (--2014) (NOTE: called a "Presidential Preference Election" in the Statutes)
    4th Tuesday in February of a Presidential Election year
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-241A]...however,
    the Governor may- by proclamation- proclaim an earlier date provided that he/she does so prior to 150 days before the new date of the "Presidential Preference Election" as declared in his/her proclamation
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-241B]
  • (2014--) (NOTE: called a "Presidential Preference Election" in the Statutes)
    A presidential preference election shall be held on the Tuesday immediately following March 15 of each year in which the President of the United States is elected ....
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-241A]...however,
    the Governor may- by proclamation- proclaim a later date provided that he/she does so prior to 180 days before the new date of the "Presidential Preference Election" as declared in his/her proclamation
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-241B]
  • (--2007) 8th Tuesday before any General or Special Election
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-201]... except,
    Local Primary may be held no later than 30 days before a scheduled municipal election.
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-203]
  • (2008-2009) 9th Tuesday prior to a general or special election
    [AZ Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 2, Article 1, 16-201]... except,
    Local Primary may be held no later than 30 days before a scheduled municipal election.
    [AZ Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 2, Article 1, 16-203]
  • (2009-2019) 10th Tuesday prior to a general or special election
    [AZ Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 2, Article 1, 16-201 SB 1074 s/13 July 2009]... except,
    Local Primary may be held no later than 30 days before a scheduled municipal election.
    [AZ Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 2, Article 1, 16-203]
  • (2019--) A primary election shall be held on the 1st Tuesday in August in any year in which a General Election or Special Election is held....
    [AZ Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 2, Article 1, 16-201 SB 1074 s/13 July 2009]... except,
    Local Primary may be held no later than 30 days before a scheduled municipal election.
    [AZ Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 2, Article 1, 16-203]
  • (2024-2024) H.B. 2785 § 20. Primary election date 2024. Notwithstanding section 16-204 ... the 2024 primary election shall be held on July 30, 2024.
  • Polls open: 6 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-565A]
Arkansas
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [AR Code 7-5-102]...
    (NOTE: AR Constitution- Article 3, Section 8- sets the General Election date as the 1st Monday of September "but the General Assembly may by law fix a different time"-- and, quite obviously, it has done so)
  • (--2019) What the statutes call a "Preferential Primary Election" is required for the selection of delegates to any Party's quadrennial National Nominating Convention. [AR Code 7-8-201]...
    [NOTE: the clear implication being that the date of the resultant Presidential Primary would be the same as that of such a "Preferential Primary Election" as stated in AR Code 7-7-203(b). Hence, the "Preferential Primary Election" is held 3 weeks [AR Code 7-7-203(b)] prior to the 2nd Tuesday in June (for 2016, 3 weeks prior to the 4th Tuesday in March) "General Primary Election" [AR Code 7-7-203(a)].]
  • (2019--) ... on the 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in March [AR Code 7-7-203(b)(2)].
  • (--2017) per AR Code 7-7-203(a), what the statutes call a "General Primary Election" is held on the 2nd Tuesday in June (for 2016, the 4th Tuesday in March) prior to the General Election.
    [NOTE: this is, in fact, what would normally be called a "Runoff Election"];
    per AR Code 7-7-203(b), what the statutes call a "Preferential Primary Election" is held exactly 3 weeks prior to the so-called "General Primary Election".
    [NOTE: this is, in fact, what would normally be called a "(First) Primary Election" in those States with Runoff Elections]
  • (2017-2019) per AR Code 7-7-203(a), what the statutes call a "General Primary Election" is held on the 3nd Tuesday in June preceding the General Election. [NOTE: this is, in fact, what would normally be called a "Runoff Election"];
    per AR Code 7-7-203(b), what the statutes call a "Preferential Primary Election" is held exactly 4 weeks prior to the so-called "General Primary Election" [NOTE: this is, in fact, what would normally be called a "(First) Primary Election" in those States with Runoff Elections]
  • (2019--) The preferential primary election shall be held on: For years in which the office of Governor will appear on the ballot ..., on the Tuesday 4 weeks before the general primary election; and For years in which the office of President of the United States will appear on the ballot ..., on the 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in March. [AR Code 7-7-203(b)(1)(2) NOTE: this is, in fact, what would normally be called a "(First) Primary Election" in those States with Runoff Elections.]
    The general primary election shall be held on: For years in which the office of Governor will appear on the ballot at the general election, on the 3rd Tuesday in June ...; and For years in which the office of President of the United States will appear on the ballot ..., on the Tuesday 4 weeks following the preferential primary election. [AR Code 7-7-203(a)(1)(2) NOTE: this is, in fact, what would normally be called a "Runoff Election".]
  • Polls open: 7:30 AM local time
    Polls close: 7:30 PM local time
    [AR Code 7-5-304]
California
  • (1851-1861) biennially, on Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of odd-numbered years
    [per CA Constitution [1849]]

    NOTE: The very first State election in CALIFORNIA was held on Tuesday 13 November 1849 and was also used as the ratification referendum re: the State's 1st Constitution.
  • (1863-1877) biennially, on 1st Wednesday in September of odd-numbered years
    [per Amendment to CA Constitution [1849], adopted 1862]
    NOTE:The election of 1879 was an annual election held on this date solely to bring the schedule of State elections into conformity with the even-numbered biennial elections required under the Constitution of 1879.
  • (1880--) biennially, on Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [CA Elections Code 1000e, 1200 (in conformity with CA Constitution [1879]: Article 4, Section 2(b))]
  • (--2004) at the same time as the State Primary [1st Tuesday in March in even-numbered years (CA Elections Code 1000c, 1201a)] in Presidential Election years
    [CA Elections Code 1000c, 1202]
  • (2005-2007) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in Presidential Election years [CA Elections Code 1000c, 1202].
  • (2007-2011) The first Tuesday in February of each year evenly divisible by the number four. [CA Elections Code 1000 (e)].
    The presidential primary shall be held on the first Tuesday in February in any year evenly divisible by the number four, and shall not be consolidated with the statewide direct primary held in that year. [CA Elections Code 1201]
  • (2012-2018) The presidential primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in any year that is evenly divisible by the number four, and shall be consolidated with the statewide direct primary held in that year. [CA Elections Code Section 1202]
  • (2019--) The presidential primary shall be consolidated with the statewide direct primary in any year that is evenly divisible by four, and the consolidated primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. [CA Elections Code Section 1202(a)]
  • (--2004) 1st Tuesday in March of even-numbered years
    [CA Elections Code 1000c, 1201a]
  • (2005-2018) The first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in even-numbered years. [CA Elections Code 1000c, 1201a]
    Special Elections:
    The Governor shall call ... special elections .. within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy [CA Elections Code 10700]
    A special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, State Senator, or Member of Assembly shall be conducted on a Tuesday at least 112 days, but not more than 126 days, following the issuance of an election proclamation by the Governor ... [CA Elections Code 10703 (a)]
    A special primary ... shall be held ... on the eighth Tuesday or, if the eighth Tuesday is the day of or the day following a state holiday, the ninth Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election .... [CA Elections Code 10704 (a)] [or when] A statewide or local election ... is scheduled for the ninth Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election. [CA Elections Code 10704 (b)(2)]
  • (2019-2020) The statewide direct primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each even-numbered year [CA Elections Code 1201.(a)].
    Special Elections:
    The Governor shall call ... special elections .. within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy [CA Elections Code 10700]
    A special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, State Senator, or Member of Assembly shall be conducted on a Tuesday at least 112 days, but not more than 126 days, following the issuance of an election proclamation by the Governor ... [CA Elections Code 10703 (a)]
    A special primary ... shall be held ... on the eighth Tuesday or, if the eighth Tuesday is the day of or the day following a state holiday, the ninth Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election .... [CA Elections Code 10704 (a)] [or when] A statewide or local election ... is scheduled for the ninth Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election. [CA Elections Code 10704 (b)(2)]
  • (2020--) The statewide direct primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of each even-numbered year that is not evenly divisible by four and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March in each even-numbered year that is evenly divisible by four. [CA Elections Code 1201.(a)].
    Special Elections:
    The Governor shall call ... special elections .. within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy [CA Elections Code 10700]
    A special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Representative in Congress, State Senator, or Member of Assembly shall be conducted on a Tuesday at least 112 days, but not more than 126 days, following the issuance of an election proclamation by the Governor ... [CA Elections Code 10703 (a)]
    A special primary ... shall be held ... on the eighth Tuesday or, if the eighth Tuesday is the day of or the day following a state holiday, the ninth Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election .... [CA Elections Code 10704 (a)] [or when] A statewide or local election ... is scheduled for the ninth Tuesday preceding the day of the special general election. [CA Elections Code 10704 (b)(2)]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 8 PM local time
    [CA Elections Code 14212]
Colorado
  • (1876-1878) the dates of the first two elections were set by the CO Constitution as the 1st Tuesday of October; beginning in 1880, the date of General Elections in COLORADO could be set by statute.
  • (1880--) biennial: Tuesday next after 1st Monday of November of even-numbered years.
    [CO Revised Statutes 1-4-201 (as authorized by the revised Article VII, Section 7 of the CO Constitution which states that the date of the General Election "shall be held on such day as prescribed by law")]
  • Friday next after 1st Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    [CO Revised Statutes 1-4-1202(1)]
  • (2011-2019) ... the precinct caucuses shall be held on the first Tuesday in March ... [CO Revised Statutes 1-3-102 (1) (a) (I)]
  • (2020--) In the 2016 general election, voters approved Proposition 107 which restores the presidential primary election. SB 17-305 1-4-1203: "A presidential primary election shall be held on a Tuesday on a date designated by the governor. The date selected for the primary must be no earlier than the date the national rules of the major political parties provide for state delegations to the party's national convention to be allocated without penalty and not later than the third Tuesday in March"
  • (--2011) 2nd Tuesday in August of even-numbered years
    [CO Revised Statutes 1-4-101(1)]
  • (2011--) ... a primary election shall be held ... on the last Tuesday in June of even-numbered years ... [CO Revised Statutes 1-4-101(1)]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    [CO Revised Statutes 1-7-101]
    10 May 2013 update: Colorado will vote mostly by mail.
Connecticut
  • (1818-1875) annual: 1st Monday of April
    [CT Constitution of 1818]
  • (1876-1885) annual: Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November
    [per Amendment to CT Constitution]
  • (1886--) biennial: Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    (CT Constitution Article 3, Section 8: incorporating Amendment to earlier CT Constitution)
  • (--2007) 1st Tuesday of March in Presidential Election years
    (CT General Statutes 9-464)
  • (2007-2011) On the first Tuesday in February of each year in which the President of the United States is to be elected, each party shall conduct a primary in each town if the names of two or more candidates are to be placed on such party's ballot ... (CT General Statutes Section 1. Section 9-464)
  • (2011-2023) On the last Tuesday in April of each year in which the President of the United States is to be elected, each party shall conduct a primary in each town if the names of two or more candidates are to be placed on such party's ballot ... [CT General Statutes Section 1. Section 9-464]
  • (2023--) On the 1st Tuesday in April of each year in which the President of the United States is to be elected, each party shall conduct a primary in each town if the names of two or more candidates are to be placed on such party's ballot ... [CT General Statutes Section 1. Section 9-464]
  • (--2004) CONNECTICUT utilizes a system of so-called "challenge primaries" (a term used by political scientists to describe the process but not found among the actual wording of the statutes)...
    • the date of such a "challenge primary" is set for the 56th day prior to the General Election
      (CT General Statutes 9-423)
    • political party conventions at the state and district levels are authorized to convene no earlier than the 68th day before, and may not close later than the 50th day before, the date of the "challenge primary"
      (CT General Statutes 9-383)
    • if no person other than a party-endorsed candidate receives at least 15 percent of the delegate vote for any given office voted on at any political party convention, the party-endorsed candidate is declared nominated (in other words, there are no "challengers" to run against the party-endorsed candidate in a "challenge primary") and the primary election re: that office re: that political party is not held.
      (CT General Statutes 9-416)
    • per CT General Statutes 9-376a(1):
      If the statutory primary date (the 56th day prior to the General Election) should fall on a date on which the tenets of a religion prohibit secular activity, the primary is to be moved to the next succeeding date that is not either a legal holiday or such religious holiday.
      [NOTE: this appears to have been adopted to take into account the possibility that an early September primary date could, at times, conflict with the Jewish high holy days of Rosh Hashanah or (more rarely) Yom Kippur (Rosh Hashanah is a two-day religious holiday and would push the primary to the Thursday next after the 56th day prior to the General Election; Yom Kippur would push the primary to the next Wednesday)]
    • per CT General Statutes 9-376a(2):
      If the statutory primary date (the 56th day prior to the General Election) should fall on the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day, the primary is to be moved to the next succeeding Tuesday.
      [NOTE: this is possible in years when the General Election Day falls on either 2 or 3 November: in such years, the 56th day prior to the General Election would be on 7 or 8 September, respectively- in each case, the day after Labor Day... the primary would then have to be moved back one week (to 14 or 15 September, respectively)]
  • (2004--) CONNECTICUT utilizes a system of so-called "challenge primaries" (a term used by political scientists to describe the process but not found among the actual wording of the statutes)...
    • the date of such a "challenge primary" is set for the on the second Tuesday in August
      (CT General Statutes 9-423(a))
    • political party conventions at the state and district levels are authorized to convene no earlier than the 98th day before, and may not close later than the 77th day before, the date of the "challenge primary"
      (CT General Statutes 9-383)
    • if no person other than a party-endorsed candidate receives at least 15 percent of the delegate vote for any given office voted on at any political party convention, the party-endorsed candidate is declared nominated (in other words, there are no "challengers" to run against the party-endorsed candidate in a "challenge primary") and the primary election re: that office re: that political party is not held.
      (CT General Statutes 9-416)
  • Polls open: 6 AM local time
    Polls close: 8 PM local time
    (CT General Statutes 9-174)
Delaware
  • (1792-1831) annual: 1st Tuesday of October
    [per DE Constitution of 1792]
  • (1832-1854) biennial: 2d Tuesday of November
    [per DE Constitution of 1831]
  • (1856--) biennial: Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November [DELAWARE Constitution, Article V. Elections, §1: incorporating an Amendment to an earlier DE Constitution]
  • (--2011) ... a presidential primary election for major political parties shall be conducted on the first Tuesday in February in the calendar year of a presidential election. [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 31, Subchapter V. § 3181 (a)]
  • (2011--) ... a presidential primary election for major political parties shall be conducted on the fourth Tuesday in April in the calendar year of a presidential election. [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 31, Subchapter V. §3181 (a)]
  • (2024-2024) ... a presidential primary election for major political parties shall be conducted on the 1st Tuesday in April in the calendar year of a presidential election. [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 31, Subchapter V. §3181 (a)]. This Act expires on May 1, 2024 ... [Senate Bill 149, Section 2. Signed 21 July 2023.]
  • Primary elections for all political parties shall be conducted on the 2nd Tuesday after the 1st Monday in September, except in 2018, when said elections shall be conducted on 6 September 2018. [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 31, §3101 (3)]. [If the date is a holiday, the election is held 1 week earlier -Ed]
  • The general election shall be opened in every election district at 7:00 in the morning... [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 49, §4931]. The election shall be continued open until 8:00 p.m. when it shall be closed... [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 49, §4947].
    The time for opening the polls for the purpose of conducting a primary election shall be 7:00 in the morning, and the time for closing the polls at such primary election shall be 8:00 in the evening. [Delaware Code, Title 15, Chapter 31, Subchapter I. §3104]
District of Columbia
  • 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of each even-numbered year [D.C. Official Code D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.10(a)(3)(A); 1-1001.10(a)(3)(B); and 1-1001.10(a)(3)(C)].
  • (2003-2011) ... the primary under ... shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday in January of each presidential election year. [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. §1-1001.01(4)]
  • (2012-2015) ... the primary under ... shall be held on the 1st Tuesday in April of each presidential election year. [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.05(b)(1)
  • (2015-2019) ... the primary under ... shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday in June of each presidential election year. [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.05(a)(1)
  • (2019--) ... primary elections ... 1st Tuesday in June in a presidential election year and on the 3rd Tuesday in June of each even-numbered non-presidential election year ... [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.10(a)(3)(A)]
  • (--2011) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the 1st Tuesday after the 2nd Monday in September ... [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. §1-1001.10(3)(A) and (C)]
  • (2012-2015) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the 1st Tuesday in April ... [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.10(a)]
  • (2015-2016) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday in June of 2016 and the 1st Tuesday in September of each even-numbered year thereafter ... [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.10(a)(3)(A)]
  • (2017-2019) ... primary elections ... shall be held on the 3nd Tuesday in June of 2018 in each even-numbered year thereafter ... [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.10(a)(3)(A)] [Primary Date Alteration Emergency Amendment Act Of 2017]
  • (2019--) ... primary elections ... 1st Tuesday in June in a presidential election year and on the 3rd Tuesday in June of each even-numbered non-presidential election year ... [D.C. Official Code Division I. Title 1. Chapter 10. Elections. Subchapter I. Regulation of Elections. § 1-1001.10(a)(3)(A)]
  • Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. [D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.10(b)(1); 3 DCMR § 703.1]
Florida
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years.
    (FL Statutes 100.031... in conformity with FL Constitution Article VI, Section 5)
  • (--2007) 2nd Tuesday in March in each year which is a multiple of 4
    (FL Statutes 103.101)
  • (2008-2011) Last Tuesday in January in each year which is a multiple of 4 (FL Statutes 103.101)
  • (2011-2013) There shall be a Presidential Preference Primary Date Selection Committee composed of the Secretary of State, who shall be a nonvoting chair; three members, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party, appointed by the Governor; three members, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and three members, no more than two of whom may be from the same political party, appointed by the President of the Senate. No later than October 1 of the year preceding the presidential preference primary, the committee shall meet and set a date for the presidential preference primary. The date selected may be no earlier than the first Tuesday in January and no later than the first Tuesday in March in the year of the presidential preference primary. [FL Statutes 103.101]
  • (2014-2015) ... The presidential preference primary shall be held ... on the first Tuesday that the rules of the major political parties provide for state delegations to be allocated without penalty. Any party rule directing the vote of delegates at a national nominating convention shall reasonably reflect the results of the presidential preference primary .... [FL Statutes 103.101(1)]
  • (2015--) ... The presidential preference primary shall be held ... on the third Tuesday in March of each presidential election year. Any party rule directing the vote of delegates at a national nominating convention shall reasonably reflect the results of the presidential preference primary .... [FL Statutes 103.101(1)]
    If ... a political party has only one presidential candidate, neither the name of the candidate nor the names of the candidate's delegates shall be printed on the ballot." [Florida Statutes 103.101, paragraph 4]
  • (--2006) the Tuesday exactly 9 weeks before the General Election
    (FL Statutes 100.061)
    NOTE: Through the 2000 Elections, FLORIDA scheduled a potential "Second Primary" (that is, a runoff in all cases where no candidate achieved a majority of the vote in the Primary scheduled as above)- authorized by FL Statutes 100.091- for four weeks after the Primary (that is, 5 weeks before the General Election). In 2001, however, temporary uncodified legislation did away with this "Second Primary" for the 2002 Elections only while subsequent legislation, adopted in 2004, did away with Section 100.091 altogether. Thus, Florida no longer has a "second ballot" or runoff Primary system and has joined the majority of the States of the Union in making their Primary "first past the post" (that is, nomination by simple plurality).
  • (2007-2011) In each year in which a general election is held, a primary election for nomination of candidates of political parties shall be held on the Tuesday 10 weeks prior to the general election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast in each contest in the primary election shall be declared nominated for such office. [FL Statutes 100.061]
  • (2011-2013) In each year in which a general election is held, a primary election for nomination of candidates of political parties shall be held on the Tuesday 12 weeks prior to the general election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes ... shall be declared nominated.... If two or more candidates receive an equal and highest number of votes ..., such candidates shall draw lots to determine which candidate is nominated. [FL Statutes 100.061]
  • (2014-2019) ... a primary election for nomination of candidates of political parties shall be held on the Tuesday 10 weeks prior to the general election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes ... shall be declared nominated.... If two or more candidates receive an equal and highest number of votes ..., such candidates shall draw lots to determine which candidate is nominated. [FL Statutes 100.061]
  • (2019--) ... a primary election for nomination of candidates of political parties shall be held on the Tuesday 11 weeks prior to the general election. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes ... shall be declared nominated.... If two or more candidates receive an equal and highest number of votes ..., such candidates shall draw lots to determine which candidate is nominated. [FL Statutes 100.061]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    The polls shall be open at the voting places at 7:00 a.m., on the day of the election, and shall be kept open until 7:00 p.m. ... [Florida Statutes 100.011]
    [NOTE: 10 counties in the western section of the so-called "Panhandle" are in the CENTRAL TIME ZONE-- the polls in these counties, therefore, open and close one hour relative to Universal Time (GMT) later than the polls in the other 57 counties of the State, which are in the EASTERN TIME ZONE]
Georgia
  • Tuesday after 1st Monday in November, bienially.
    [GA Constitution, Art. III, Section II, paragraph V(c)].
    A run-off election shall be a continuation of the general election ... only those votes cast for the persons designated for the runoff shall be counted .... [GA Constitution, Art. II, Section I. Paragraph II.]
  • (--2007) 1st Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    (Official Code of GA 21-2-191)
  • (2007-2011) As provided in this article, a presidential preference primary shall be held in 2008 and every four years thereafter for each political party or body which has cast for its candidates for President and Vice President in the last presidential election more than 20 percent of the total vote cast for President and Vice President in the state ... Such primary shall be held on February 5, 2008, and on the first Tuesday in February every four years thereafter. (Official Code of GA 21-2-191)
  • (2011--) ... a presidential preference primary shall be held in 2012 and every four years thereafter for each political party ... which has cast for its candidates for President and Vice President in the last presidential election more than 20 percent of the total vote cast for President and Vice President in this state.... Such primary shall be held ... on a date selected by the Secretary of State which shall not be later than the second Tuesday in June .... The Secretary of State shall select such date no later than December 1 of the year immediately preceding such primary. (Official Code of GA 21-2-191)
  • (--2013) 3d Tuesday in July in even-numbered years
    (Official Code of GA 21-2-150(a) )
    except:
    when the above date falls during a week when one of the two Major Parties is holding its National Nominating Convention-- in which case:
    2d Tuesday in July
    (Official Code of GA 21-2-150(b)(1) )
    or
    when the above date (that in OCG 21-2-150(a) ) is in a year immediately following the release of US Census data re: the reapportionment/redistricting of Members of Congress or of the General Assembly (GA's legislature)-- in which case: next to last Tuesday in August
    (Official Code of GA 21-2-150(b)(2) )
    [NOTE: the provision in OCG 21-2-150(b)(2)- the August primary date- is in force in 2002; for 2004, the July primary date will- presumably- be resumed]

    If no candidate should receive a majority of the vote in the primary held per the various sections of OCG 21-2-150, a "runoff" will be held on the date 21 days following the date of the State primary.
    (Official Code of GA 21-2-501(a) )
  • (2013-2014) On 12 July 2013, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ordered Georgia to move the primary from 15 July 2014 to 3 June 20 May. The General Election run off would move from 2 December to 6 January 2015. Find the original order Civil Action No 1:12-cv-2230-SCJ here. Find the order updated 21 August 2013 (changed to avoid having to conduct advance voting during Memorial Day Weekend) here.
    • "The State's federal primary election shall be held on the Tuesday ... 24 weeks before the federal general election." [Civil Action No 1:12-cv-2230-SCJ page 6 of 9]
    • The State's federal primary runoff election shall be held 15 weeks before the federal general election." [Civil Action No 1:12-cv-2230-SCJ page 7 of 9]
    • ... the State's federal general election shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November...." [Civil Action No 1:12-cv-2230-SCJ page 7 of 9]
    • The State's federal general runoff election shall be held on the Tuesday nine (9) weeks after the federal general election." [Civil Action No 1:12-cv-2230-SCJ page 7 of 9]
  • (2014-2021) ... Tuesday of the twenty-fourth week prior to the November general election in each even-numbered year....[Official Code of GA 21-2-150]
    ... where no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a run-off primary, special primary runoff, run-off election, or special election runoff between the candidates receiving the two highest numbers of votes shall be held. [21-2-501(a)(1)]
    If any candidate ... in a runoff withdraws, dies, or is found to be ineligible, the remaining candidates receiving the two highest numbers of votes shall be the candidates in the runoff. [21-2-501(a)(7)]
    ... a runoff ... shall be held on the Tuesday of the 9th week following such ... primary. [21-2-501 (a)(2) and (5)]
    ... a runoff ... shall be held on the Tuesday of the 9th week following such general election. [21-2-501 (a)(3)]
    ... a runoff ... for an office other than a federal office ... shall be held on the 28th day after the ... general election [21-2-501 (a)(4)]
    ... a runoff ... for an office other than a federal office ... shall be held on the 28th day after the ... special primary or special election. [21-2-501 (a)(6)]
  • (2021--) ... Tuesday of the twenty-fourth week prior to the November general election in each even-numbered year....[Official Code of GA 21-2-150]
    ... where no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a run-off primary, special primary runoff, run-off election, or special election runoff between the candidates receiving the two highest numbers of votes shall be held. [21-2-501(a)(1)]
    If any candidate ... in a runoff withdraws, dies, or is found to be ineligible, the remaining candidates receiving the two highest numbers of votes shall be the candidates in the runoff. [21-2-501(a)(2)]
    ... a runoff ... shall be held on the twenty-eighth day after the ... election. [21-2-501 (a)(1)]
  • At all primaries and elections the polls shall be opened at 7:00 A.M. eastern standard time or eastern daylight time, whichever is applicable, and shall remain open continuously until 7:00 P.M. eastern standard time or eastern daylight time, whichever is applicable, at which time they shall be closed; provided, however, that, in all cities having a population of 300,000 or more according to the United States decennial census of 1970 or any future such census, the polls shall remain open continuously until 8:00 P.M. eastern standard time or eastern daylight time, whichever is applicable, during the cities' general elections, at which time they shall be closed and provided, further, that, in a special election held to fill a vacancy in an office in which the district represented by such office lies wholly within the boundaries of a city, the polls shall close at the same time as for a municipal general election in such city. [Georgia Code 21-2-403]
Guam
  • Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years. [Guam Code Annotated. Title 3: Elections Chapter 5: §5101]
    ...The Governor of Guam, together with the Lieutenant Governor, shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the people who are qualified to vote for the members of the Legislature of Guam. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote applicable to both offices. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in any election [a reference to the General Election not the Primary -Ed], on the fourteenth day thereafter a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor receiving the highest and second highest number of votes cast. The first election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be held on November 3, 1970. Thereafter, beginning with the year 1974, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be elected every four years at the general election. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall hold office for a term of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. No person who has been elected Governor for two full successive terms shall again be eligible to hold that office until one full term has intervened. [U.S. Code Title 48, Chapter 8a , Subchapter II, §1422]
    (a) ... The Delegate from Guam shall be elected at large and by a majority of the votes cast for the office of Delegate. If no candidate receives such majority, on the fourteenth day following such election a runoff election shall be held between the candidates receiving the highest and the second highest number of votes cast for the office of Delegate. In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, by reason of death, resignation, or permanent disability, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor shall have been elected and qualified. [U.S. Code Title 48, Chapter 16, Subchapter I, §1712]
  • (--2012) The primary shall be held ... on the first Saturday of September in every even-numbered year. [Guam Code Annotated. Title 3: Elections Chapter 16: Conduct of Primary elections. §16201]
    The Organic Act of Guam, 48 U. S. C. §1422, provides, inter alia, that "[i]f no [slate of] candidates [for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Guam] receive[s] a majority of the votes cast in any election, ... a runoff election shall be held."
  • (2012-2022) The primary shall be conducted ... on the last Saturday of August in every even-numbered year. [Guam Code Annotated. Title 3: Elections Chapter 15: Conduct of Primary elections. §15201].

    The Governor of Guam, together with the Lieutenant Governor, shall be elected by a majority of the votes .... The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote applicable to both offices. If no candidates receive a majority of the votes cast ... on the fourteenth day thereafter a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor receiving the highest and second highest number of votes .... [The Organic Act of Guam, 48 U. S. C. §1422]
  • (2023--) The primary shall be conducted ... on the 1st Saturday of August in every even-numbered year. [Guam Code Annotated. Title 3: Elections Chapter 15: Conduct of Primary elections. §15201].
  • Time for Opening and Closing Polls. The polls shall be opened at 7 o'clock a.m., of the day of an election and shall be kept open until 8 o'clock p.m. [Guam Code Annotated. Title 3 Elections. Chapter 9: Conduct of Elections. § 9109] (Note: §9109 was amended by Section 4 of (Guam) Public Law 24-273 changing the polling hours from 8a to 8p to 7a to 8p.)
Hawaii
  • 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    (HI Constitution Article II, Section 8)
  • None.
  • (--2011) 2nd to last Saturday in September in even-numbered years.
    (HI Revised Statutes 12-2)
  • (2012--) ... on the second Saturday of August in every even numbered year.
    (HI Revised Statutes 12-2)
    The person ... receiving the greatest number of votes at the primary ... as a candidate of a party ... shall be the candidate of the party at the following general or special general election (HI Revised Statutes 12-41(a)).
    Any nonpartisan candidate receiving at least ten per cent of the total votes cast for the office ... at the primary or special primary, or a vote equal to the lowest vote received by the partisan candidate who was nominated in the primary or special primary, shall also be a candidate at the following election (HI Revised Statutes 12-41(a)).
  • (--2019) Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 6 PM local time
    (HI Revised Statutes 11-131)
  • (2019--) Beginning with the 2020 primary election, all elections shall be conducted by mail [Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 2 Chapter 11-A]. Voter service center hours ... On an election day, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. of that day. [§11-131]
Idaho
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    (ID Code 34-601(2) )
  • (--2011) same date as the State Primary [4th Tuesday in May in even-numbered years. (ID Code 34-601(1) ) ] in Presidential Election years.
    (ID Code 34-601(4) )
  • (2011-2012) Presidential primary elections shall be held in conjunction with the primary election, on the third Tuesday of May in each presidential election year. [Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 1. 34-102. s/ 23 February 2011]
  • (2012-2015) Idaho House Bill H391, signed by Governor C.L. Butch Otter (Republican) on 1 March 2012 effective 1 March 2012 removes references to the Presidential primary from [Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 1. 34-102].
  • (2015-2023) A presidential primary shall be held on the 2nd Tuesday in March in each presidential election year ... Any party that intends to participate shall notify the Secretary of State no later than the last Tuesday in the November. [Idaho Statutes 34-102 (2); also 34-106 (d); 34-601. (4); 34-731 (1); s/ 9 April 2015]
  • (2023--) Primary elections shall be held on the third Tuesday of May in each even-numbered year. [Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 1. 34-102.]
    30 March 2023: HB 138 was thought to consolidate the presidential primary with the state Primary so that all primary elections are held on the 3rd Tuesday in May ... but it does not specifically add a Presidential Primary to the state primary on the 3rd Tuesday in May so it effectively eliminates the Presidential Primary.
  • (--2010) A primary election shall be held on the fourth Tuesday in May, 1980, and every two (2) years thereafter on the above-mentioned Tuesday. [ID Code 34-601(1)]
  • (2011--) Primary elections shall be held on the third Tuesday of May in each even-numbered year. [Idaho Statutes Title 34 Chapter 1. 34-102. s/ 23 February 2011]
    30 March 2023: HB 138 was thought to consolidate the presidential primary with the state Primary so that all primary elections are held on the 3rd Tuesday in May ... but it does not specifically add a Presidential Primary to the state primary on the 3rd Tuesday in May so it effectively eliminates the Presidential Primary.
  • Polls open: 8 AM local time
    (however, the County Clerk has the authority to open the polls in his/her County at 7 AM local time)
    Polls close: 8 PM local time
    (ID Code 34-1101(1) )
    [NOTE: the bulk of 10 counties in the northern portion of IDAHO (the so-called "panhandle") are in the PACIFIC TIME ZONE... thus, the polling times in these counties are one hour relative to Universal Time (GMT) later than those in the other 34 counties of the State, which are in the MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE]
Illinois
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a)... in conformity with IL Constitution Article III, Section 6)
  • (--2007) same as date of State Primary [3d Tuesday in March in even-numbered years. (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a) )] in Presidential Election years.
    (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/7-5(a) )
  • (2007-2010) same as date of State Primary [first Tuesday in February in even-numbered years. (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a) )] in Presidential Election years.
    (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/7-5(a) )
  • (2010--) same as date of State Primary [3d Tuesday in March in even-numbered years. (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a) )] in Presidential Election years. (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/7-5(a) ) [17 March 2010: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed SB 355, which moves the primary from the first Tuesday in February to the third Tuesday in March.]
  • (--2007) 3d Tuesday in March in even-numbered years.
    (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a) )
  • (2007-2010) In even-numbered years ... an election to be known as the general primary election shall be held on the first Tuesday in February (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a) )
  • (2010--) In even-numbered years ... an election to be known as the general primary election shall be held on the third Tuesday in March (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a) ) [17 March 2010: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed SB 355, which moves the primary from the first Tuesday in February to the third Tuesday in March.]
  • (2022-2022) The provisions of this Section shall apply for the dates for the 2022 general primary election ... only ... [10 ILCS 5/2A-1.1b 2A-1.1b. (a)].
    The general primary election shall be held on June 28, 2022. [10 ILCS 5/2A-1.1b 2A-1.1b. (k)]
  • Polls open: 6 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/17-1)
Indiana
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday of November in even-numbered years.
    (IN Code 3-5-1-2(1) & 3-10-2-1... in conformity with IN Constitution Article 2, Section 14 (a) )
  • Same date as the State Primary [1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in May in even-numbered years. (IN Code 3-10-1-3)] in Presidential Election years.
    (implied by the setup of the Primary Ballot required by IN Code 3-10-1-19)
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in May in even-numbered years.
    (IN Code 3-10-1-3)
  • Polls open: 6 AM local time
    Polls close: 6 PM local time
    (IN Code 3-11-8-8)
    [NOTE: INDIANA is split between the CENTRAL (to the west) and EASTERN (to the east) TIME ZONES. In 2008, most counties align with the EASTERN time zone. Beginning in the Spring of 2006, all of INDIANA will go on Daylight Savings Time. From 1967 through 2005 the State did not observe Daylight Savings Time in the EASTERN TIME ZONE portions of the State.]
Iowa
  • 39.1 General election. The general election shall be held throughout the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. [Merged Iowa Code & Supplement]
  • (for Political party precinct caucuses -Ed) Delegates to county conventions of political parties and party committee members shall be elected at precinct caucuses held not later than the fourth Monday in February of each even-numbered year. The date shall be at least eight days earlier than the scheduled date for any meeting, caucus or primary which constitutes the first determining stage of the presidential nominating process in any other state, territory or any other group which has the authority to select delegates in the presidential nomination. [Merged Iowa Code & Supplement 43.4]
  • The primary election by all political parties shall be held ... on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June in each even-numbered year. [Merged Iowa Code & Supplement 43.7]
  • (--2021) 49.73 Time of opening and closing polls.
    1. At all elections, except as otherwise permitted by this section, the polls shall be opened at seven o'clock a.m., or as soon thereafter as vacancies on the precinct election board have been filled. On the basis of voter turnout for recent similar elections and factors considered likely to so affect voter turnout for the forthcoming election as to justify shortened voting hours for that election, the commissioner may direct that the polls be opened at twelve o'clock noon for ....
    49.53. The polling places shall be closed at nine o'clock p.m. for state primary and general elections and other partisan elections, and for any other election held concurrently therewith, and at eight o'clock p.m. for all other elections.
    [Merged Iowa Code & Supplement]
  • (2021--) 49.73 Time of opening and closing polls. 1. ...the polls shall be opened at seven o'clock a.m. .... 2. The polling places shall be closed at at 8:00 p.m. for all elections.
Kansas
  • Tuesday succeeding 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [KS Constitution: Art.4, sec.2;
    KS Statutes 25-101]
  • (--2011) on or before the 1st Tuesday in April in Presidential Election years
    (only if, by 1 November of the immediately preceding year, no "common date" shared with at least five other States holding presidential primaries or delegate selection caucuses or conventions has been adopted)
    [KS Statutes 25-4501]
  • (2011-2015) ... there shall be held a presidential preference primary election in the year 2016, and every fourth year thereafter. [KS Statutes 25-4501. (a)]
    On or before November 1, 2015, and ... every fourth year thereafter, the secretary of state shall certify ... a common date in the next succeeding year on which at least five other states will hold a presidential [primary... convention... caucus...] at which delegates to a national convention are selected. ... If the secretary of state determines that there is no common date ..., the secretary of state shall certify ... a date, which shall be on or before the first Tuesday in April of the next ... year, on which the presidential preference primary election shall be held. [KS Statutes 25-4501. (b)]
  • (2016--) Parties select their nominees by caucus: "Each political party ... shall have procedures to select a presidential nominee and shall select a presidential nominee in accordance with such party procedures for the 2016 presidential election, and every fourth year thereafter." [KS Statutes 25-3905 (e).6]
  • (2023-2025) On March 19, 2024, for each political party that is a recognized political party ... there shall be held a presidential preference primary ... this subsection shall not apply to any ... party ... that has submitted written notice ... on ... December 1, 2023, that such political party has elected to not participate ... [K.S.A. 25-4501a, Sec. 4., (b) (1) (2)].
  • 1st Tuesday in August in even-numbered years
    [KS Statutes 25-203]
  • Polls open: 7 AM Central Time, 6 AM Mountain Time.
    Polls close: 7 PM Central Time, 6 PM Mountain Time
    Counties may set different polling hours:
    • Central Time: The polls shall be open at least 12 continuous hours commencing not earlier than 6:00 AM and ending not later than 8:00 PM and ending not earlier than 7:00 PM.
    • Mountain Time: The polls shall be open at least 12 continuous hours commencing not earlier than 5:00 AM and ending not later than 7:00 PM and ending not earlier than 6:00 PM.
    [KS Statutes 25-106]
Kentucky
  • Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. [Ky. Const. § 148]
  • ... the first Tuesday after the third Monday in May, in each presidential election year (KRS 118.561(1))
  • (--2008) (KRS 118.025(3)) 1st Tuesday after 3rd Monday in May.
    (KRS 118.245) (1) The candidate for office, other than the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, receiving the highest number of votes in a primary ... shall be the nominee .... (2) A slate of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor that receives not less than forty percent (40%) of its party's votes cast shall be the nominee ... except that if two (2) slates of candidates receive forty percent (40%) or more of their party's votes, the slate receiving the higher number of votes shall be its party's nominee, and no runoff primary shall be conducted.
    (KSR 118.025 (4)) A runoff primary shall be held thirty-five (35) days after the date of the May primary, if it shall be necessary, pursuant to KRS 118.245, unless that date falls on a holiday; in that case, a runoff primary shall be held on the succeeding Tuesday. However, if either a primary election is contested or a recount of the votes cast in a primary is requested, a runoff primary shall be held on the first Tuesday following the thirty-fifth day following the conclusion of any contest proceeding or recount, if it shall be necessary, unless that date falls on a holiday; in that case, a runoff primary shall be held on the succeeding Tuesday.
  • (2008--) (KRS 118.025(3)) 1st Tuesday after 3rd Monday in May.
    (KRS 118.245) (1) The candidate for office, other than the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, receiving the highest number of votes in a primary election for the office ... shall be the nominee .... (2) The slate of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor receiving the highest number of votes in a primary shall be the nominees ....
  • The polls shall be opened on the day of a primary, runoff primary, special election, or regular election at 6 a.m., prevailing time, and shall remain open until each voter who is waiting in line at the polls at 6 p.m., prevailing time, has voted. (KRS 118.035(1))
Louisiana
  • Federal: Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years [La. Revised Statutes 18:402B(2)] (NOTE: Because of the ruling of the Federal courts that the statutory date for the Federal Primary in Louisiana is violative of Federal statute 2 USC 7 (which the courts held requires that no one can be formally elected to Congress until the date set for the General Election, this date is used as the date of the so-called "Open Primary" for U.S. Senators and Representatives in Congress.)
    State: 4th Saturday after the 2d to last Saturday in October in odd-numbered years [La. Revised Statutes 18:402A(2)] (held, between the top two vote-getters, for any office re: which no candidate received at least a majority of the vote in the Primary; thus, the General Election in Louisiana is really a Runoff)
  • (2007-2011) A statewide presidential preference primary election shall be held on the second Saturday in February ... except when a legal holiday falls on the second Tuesday of February, in which case, the presidential preference primary election shall be held on the third Saturday in February. [RS 18:1280.21 A.] [The legal holiday refers to Mardi Gras. -Ed]
  • (2012-2014) A statewide presidential preference primary election shall be held on the third Saturday after the first Tuesday in March ... [RS 18:1280.21 A.]
  • (2014-2019) A statewide presidential preference primary election shall be held on the first Saturday in March ... [R.S. 18:402(C)(1) and 1280.21.(A)]
  • (2019-2023) ... the statewide presidential preference primary election shall be held on the first Saturday in April in 2020.... [R.S. 18:1280.21(A) and 1280.21.1. A.(1)]
  • (2023--) A statewide presidential preference primary election shall be held on the last Saturday in March in 2024 and every fourth year thereafter ... [LA Rev Stat § 18:1280.21 (2021) A.]
    No election of any kind shall be held in this state on any of the days of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, the first two days and the last two days of Passover, Shavuot, Tish'a B'Av, the two days preceding Labor Day or the three days preceding Easter. If the date of any election falls on any of the above-named days, the election shall be held on the same weekday of the preceding week. [LA Rev Stat § 18:402 (G)]
  • (--2006) for Federal office: 1st Saturday in October of even-numbered years [La. Revised Statutes 18:402B(1) (Note: Federal courts have ruled that this date violates Federal statute 2 USC 7 because it allows for candidates to be formally elected to Congress prior to the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, the date set for Congressional elections by that Federal statute)
    for State office: 2d to last Saturday in October of odd-numbered years [La. Revised Statutes 18:402A(1)] (this is the so-called "Open Primary" in which all candidates- regardless of Party- run against each other "all up" on one ballot; if a candidate should receive at least a majority of the total vote in this Primary, he/she is declared to have been elected and there is no election for the office in question come the General Election)
  • (2007-2010) SENATE BILL NO. 18 §1275.2 B. [RS 18:402 B (1)] Congressional first party primary elections shall be held on the first Saturday in September of an election year. [RS 18:402 B (2)] Congressional second party primary elections shall be held on the first Saturday in October of an election year.
    SENATE BILL NO. 18 §1275.14. A. In the event that no candidate receives a majority vote in the first party primary, the two candidates from each political party, who received the greatest number of votes in the first party primary shall be voted on in the second party primary.
    RS 18.402.G. Prohibited days. No election of any kind shall be held in this state on any of the days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkoth, Shimini Atzereth, Simchas Torah, the first two days and the last two days of Passover, Shavuoth, Fast of AV, the two days preceding Labor Day or the three days preceding Easter. If the date of any election falls on any of the above named days, the election shall be held on the same weekday of the preceding week. If the date of the election for a second party primary is advanced pursuant to this Subsection, the first party primary shall also be advanced by the same number of weeks.
  • (2011-2014) • Elections for governor and officers ... shall be held every four years, beginning in 1983. ... primary elections shall be held on the second to last Saturday in October ... general elections shall be held on the fourth Saturday after the second to last Saturday in October ... [RS 18:402 A.(1) and A.(2)]
    • Congressional elections ...shall be held every two years, beginning in 1982. Primary elections ... shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November ... General elections ... shall be held on the first Saturday in December ... [RS 18:402 B.(1) and B.(2)]
    • A candidate ... who receives a majority of the votes cast ... in a primary election is elected. [RS 18:511 A.]
    • No election of any kind shall be held in this state on any of the days of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, the first two days and the last two days of Passover, Shavuot, Tish'a B'Av, the two days preceding Labor Day or the three days preceding Easter. If the date of any election falls on any of the above-named days, the election shall be held on the same weekday of the preceding week. [RS 18:402 G.]
  • (2015--) • Elections for governor and officers ... shall be held every four years, beginning in 1983. ... primary elections shall be ... on the third to last Saturday in October ... general elections shall be ... on the fifth Saturday after the third to last Saturday in October ... [RS 18:402 A.(1) and A.(2)]
    • Congressional elections ...shall be ... every two years, beginning in 1982. Primary elections ... shall be ... on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November ... General elections ... shall be ... on the fifth Saturday after the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November ... [RS 18:402 B.(1) and B.(2)]
    • A candidate ... who receives a majority of the votes cast ... in a primary election is elected. [RS 18:511 A.]
    • No election ... shall be held ... on ... Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, the first two days and the last two days of Passover, Shavuot, Tish'a B'Av, the two days preceding Labor Day or the three days preceding Easter. If the date of any election falls on ... the above ... the election shall be held on the same weekday of the preceding week. If the date for the primary election is advanced ... the general election shall be advanced the same number of weeks .... If the date for the general election is advanced ... the primary election shall be advanced the same number of weeks .... [RS 18:402 G.]
  • (--2013) In the primary and general elections, the polls shall open at 6:00 a.m. on election day and shall close at 8:00 p.m. on election day. [RS 18:541]
  • (2013--) In the primary and general elections, the polls shall open at 7:00 a.m. ... and shall close at 8:00 p.m. ... [RS 18:541.A.]
    ... in regularly scheduled congressional primary elections ... the polls shall open at 6:00 a.m. on election day and shall close at 8 p.m. on election day. [RS 18:541.B.]
    That is, polls open at 7:00 a.m. for SATURDAY elections and at 6 a.m. for TUESDAY elections. Polls close at 8:00 p.m. --Ed.
Maine
  • (2017-2019) "No later than November 1st of the year prior to a presidential election year, the Secretary of State shall set the date of the presidential primary election, which must be held on a Tuesday in March of the year in which a presidential election is held. Whenever the state committee of a party certifies that there is a contest among candidates for nomination as the presidential candidate, the Secretary of State shall consult with the state committee of each party to determine the date of the presidential primary." LD 1673, SP 685 Sec. 4. 21-A MRSA c. 5, sub-c. 7 §431. 1.
  • (2019--) "No later than November 1st of the year prior to a presidential election year, the state committee of each party shall certify whether there is a contest among candidates for nomination as the presidential candidate. Upon receiving the certification from one or more parties, the Secretary of State shall announce the parties that will have a presidential primary election, which must be held on the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in March of the presidential election year." [LD 1626, SP 523. Sec. 4. 21-A MRSA c. 5, sub-c. 8 §441.1.]
  • 2nd Tuesday of June of each general election year [Title 21-A, Chapter 5, Subchapter 1, section 339]
  • 1. Opening time flexible. The polls must be opened no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than 9 a.m. on election day; except that in municipalities with a population of less than 4,000, the polls must be opened no later than 10:00 a.m. on election day.
    2. Closing time fixed. The polls must be closed at 8 p.m. on election day, except in municipalities of population less than 100 which may close the polls after all registered voters have voted. [Title 21-A, Chapter 9, Subchapter 1, Article 2, §626]
Maryland
  • [Election Law § 8-301] (a) (1) There shall be a statewide general election in each even-numbered year. (2) A statewide general election shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.
  • (--2007) [Election Law §8 201] (a) (2) A primary election shall be held: (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the first Tuesday in March.
  • (2007-2011) [Election Law §8–201] (a) (2) A primary election shall be held: (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the second Tuesday in February.
  • (2012-2015) Election Law §8–201] (a) (2) A primary election shall be held: (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the first Tuesday in April.
  • (2015-2023) Election Law §8–201] (a) (2) A primary election shall be held: (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the 4th Tuesday in April.
  • (2023--) Election Law §8–201] (a) (2) A primary election shall be held: (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the 2nd Tuesday in May.
  • (--2011) [Election Law §8 201] (a)(1) There shall be a statewide primary election in every even-numbered year. (2) A primary election shall be held: (i) in the year in which the Governor is elected, on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September.
  • (2011-2011) [Election Law §8 201] (a)(1) There shall be a statewide primary election in every even-numbered year. (2) A primary election shall be held: (i) in the year in which the Governor is elected, on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September; and (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the second Tuesday in February.
  • (2012-2015) [Election Law §8 201] (a)(1) There shall be a statewide primary election in every even-numbered year. (2) A primary election shall be held: (i) in the year in which the Governor is elected, on the last Tuesday in June; and (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the first Tuesday in April.
  • (2015-2023) [Election Law §8 201] (a)(1) There shall be a statewide primary election in every even-numbered year. (2) A primary election shall be held: (i) in the year in which the Governor is elected, on the last Tuesday in June; and (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the 4th Tuesday in April.
  • (2023--) [Election Law §8 201] (a)(1) There shall be a statewide primary election in every even-numbered year. (2) A primary election shall be held: (i) in the year in which the Governor is elected, on the last Tuesday in June; and (ii) in the year in which the President of the United States is elected, on the 2nd Tuesday in May.
  • [Election Law §10-301.(a)] ... a polling place shall be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Massachusetts
  • Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in every even-numbered year. [The General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 54: Section 62]
  • Presidential primaries shall be held on the first Tuesday in March in any year in which presidential electors are to be elected. [The General Laws of Massachusetts, Title VIII, Chapter 53: Section 28.]
  • Governor Duval Patrick signed HB 3764 on 26 November 2013. The bill moves the 2014 primary date from 16 September to 9 September. The bill only applies to 2014. "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 28 of chapter 53 of the General Laws or any other special or general law to the contrary, the state primary in 2014 shall be held on September 9, 2014.".
    "SECTION 8A. (a) Notwithstanding section 28 of chapter 53 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the state primary for the calendar year 2012 shall be held on Thursday, September 6. -- HB3788 s/11 November 2011
    State primaries shall be held on the seventh Tuesday preceding biennial state elections and on the fourth Tuesday preceding special state elections, except that primaries before special elections for senator or representative in congress shall be held on the sixth Tuesday preceding said elections. [The General Laws of Massachusetts, Title VIII, Chapter 53: Section 28.]
  • (2019-2020) Governor Governor Charlie Baker signed HB 4246 on 13 December 2019. SECTION 83. Notwithstanding section 28 of chapter 53 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the state primary in 2020 shall be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
  • The polls shall in no case be kept open after eight o’clock in the evening ... the polls may be open as early as fifteen minutes before six o’clock in the forenoon, and shall be open not later than seven o’clock in the forenoon and shall be kept open at least thirteen hours. [The General Laws of Massachusetts Title VIII, Chapter 54: Section 64.]. [The polls must be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Some municipalities may open their polls as early as 5:45 a.m. -Ed]
Michigan
  • 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [MI Constitution Art.II, sec. 5]
  • (--2007) 4th Tuesday in February in Presidential Election years [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a (1)]
    A political party that received 5% or less of the total vote cast nationwide for the office of president in the last presidential election shall not participate in the presidential primary election. [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a (2)]
  • (2007-2011) ... a presidential primary shall be conducted under this act on January 15, 2008, and on the fourth Tuesday in February in each following presidential election year. [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a (1)]
    ... If the secretary of state determines that all participating political parties are using a method other than the results of the January 15, 2008 presidential primary, the secretary of state shall cancel the presidential primary ... [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a (2)]
    A political party that received less than 20% of the total vote cast in this state for the office of president in the last presidential election shall not participate in the presidential primary. [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a (3)]
  • (2011-2015) A statewide presidential primary election shall be conducted under this act on the fourth Tuesday in February in each presidential election year. [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a (1)]
  • (2015-2023) (1) A statewide presidential primary election shall be conducted under this act on the 2nd Tuesday in March in each presidential election year.
    (2) A political party that received 5% or less of the total vote cast nationwide for the office of president in the last presidential election shall not participate in the presidential primary election. [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a]
  • (2024--) (1) A statewide presidential primary election must be conducted under this act on February 27, 2024, and on the fourth Tuesday in February in each presidential election year after 2024. (2) A political party that received 5% or less of the total vote cast nationwide for the office of President of the United States in the last presidential election shall not participate in the presidential primary election. [Public Act 2 of 2023, MI Act 116 of 1954-168.613a]
  • Tuesday immediately following the 1st Monday in August next preceding a General Election for a given office for which candidates are to be nominated in the Primary
    [MI Act 116 of 1954-168.534]
  • Polls open: 7 AM
    Polls close: 8 PM
    [Act 116 of 1954-168.720]
    (NOTE: per Act 116 of 1954-168.721, the above hours are specifically tied to Eastern Time; however, any county in the Central Time Zone may, by local option, apply the above hours using the prevailing local time in that county; as a practical matter, and for all intents and purposes, it may be assumed that the statutory polling times are "local time" in any event, regardless of Time Zone)
Minnesota
  • The state general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year. [204D.03 Subdivision 2]
  • (--2017) There is no Presidential Primary. Instead, Minnesota holds caucuses:
    "In every state general election year, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ... there shall be held ... a party caucus ... [Minnesota Statutes 202A.14 § Subdivision 1. (a)].
    "The chairs of the two largest major political parties shall jointly submit to the secretary of state, no later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the single date on which the two parties have agreed to conduct their precinct caucuses in the next even-numbered year." [Minnesota Statutes 202A.14 § Subdivision 1. (b)(1)].
    "If the chairs of the two largest major political parties do not jointly submit a single date for conducting their precinct caucuses ... then for purposes of the next general election year, the first Tuesday in February shall be considered the day of a major political party precinct caucus." [Minnesota Statutes 202A.14 § Subdivision 1. (3)]
  • (2017--) (a) A presidential ... primary must be held each year in which a president ... [is] to be ... elected. (b) The party chairs must jointly submit to the secretary of state, no later than March 1 in a year prior ... the single date on which the parties have agreed to conduct the presidential ... primary ... 1. If a date is not jointly submitted by the deadline, the presidential nomination primary must be held on the 1st Tuesday in March ... No other election may be conducted on the date of the presidential nomination primary. [Session Law Chapter: 162] [Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 207A.11, signed by the Governor 20 May 2016, effective 1 July 2017]
  • (--2010) The state primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September in each even-numbered year. [204D.03 Subdivision 1]
  • (2010--) The state primary shall be held on the second Tuesday in August in each even-numbered year. [204D.03 Subdivision 1] [amended 3 March 2010 by S.F. No. 2251]
  • ... at the state primary and the state general election the hours for voting in every precinct in the state shall begin at 7:00 a.m. and shall extend continuously until 8:00 p.m. [204C.05, Minnesota Statutes 2006 Subdivision 1.]
    The governing body of a town with less than 500 inhabitants ... may fix a later time for voting to begin at state primary, special, or general elections ... The later time may not be later than 10:00 a.m. [204C.05, Minnesota Statutes 2006 Subd. 1a.]
    An unorganized territory or unorganized territories which ... may have shorter voting hours if at least 20 percent of the registered voters ... sign a petition for shorter hours ... The later time may not be later than 10:00 a.m. [204C.05, Minnesota Statutes 2006 Subd. 1b.]
Mississippi
  • (--2020) Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. (Mississippi Constitution 1890)
  • (2020--) Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: §140. The Governor ... and all statewide elected officials shall be chosen on the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of November 2023 and ... every 4th year thereafter ... If no person received a majority of the votes, then a runoff election shall be held under procedures prescribed by the Legislature in general law. (Mississippi Constitution 1890, Amended 2020: Ballot Measure 2, House Concurrent Resolution No. 47). "... where no candidate receives a majority of votes case in a special election, then a runoff election shall be held 3 weeks after the election." [§ 23-15-833]
  • A presidential preference primary may be held on the second Tuesday in March of each year in which a President of the United States is to be elected. (Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-1081.)
  • For local and state elections:
    The first primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of August preceding any regular or general election; and the second primary shall be held three (3) weeks thereafter. Any candidate who receives the highest popular vote cast for the office which he seeks in the first primary shall thereby become the nominee of the party for such office; provided also it be a majority of all the votes cast for that office. If no candidate receives such majority of popular votes in the first primary, then the two (2) candidates who receive the highest popular vote for such office shall have their names submitted as such candidates to a second primary, and the candidate who leads in such second primary shall be nominated to the office. When there is a tie in the first primary of those receiving next highest vote, these two (2) and the one (1) receiving the highest vote, none having received a majority, shall go into the second primary, and whoever leads in such second primary shall be entitled to the nomination. (Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-191)
    For Federal elections:
    ... the first primary election for Congressmen shall be held on the first Tuesday in June of the years in which congressmen are elected, and the second primary, when one is necessary, shall be held three (3) weeks thereafter. Each year in which a presidential election is held, the congressional primary shall be held as provided in Section 23-15-1081 (second Tuesday in March -Ed). (Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-1031)
    ... Any candidate who receives the highest popular vote cast for the office which he seeks in the first primary shall thereby become the nominee of the party for such office; provided also it be a majority of all the votes cast for that office. If no candidate receive such majority of popular votes in the first primary, then the two (2) candidates who receive the highest popular vote for such office shall have their names submitted as such candidates to a second primary, and the candidate who leads in such second primary shall be nominated to the office. When there is a tie in the first primary of those receiving next highest vote, these two (2) and the one (1) receiving the highest vote, none having received a majority, shall go into the second primary, and whoever leads in such second primary shall be entitled to the nomination. (Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-191)
    ... when a political party elects to conduct a presidential preference primary, the first primary election for congressmen, and senators, if senators are to be elected, shall be held on the second Tuesday in March, and the second primary, when one is necessary, shall be held three (3) weeks thereafter ... (Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-1083)
  • (1972--) At all elections, the polls shall be opened at seven o'clock in the morning and be kept open until seven o'clock in the evening and no longer. [Mississippi Code Ann. §23-15-541 (1972); Mississippi Const.1890, §102]
Missouri
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [MO Revised Statutes 115.121.1]
  • (--2007) ... an election for a presidential primary held pursuant to sections 115.755 to 115.785 shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each presidential election year. [MO Revised Statutes 115.123.2]
  • (2007-2014) A statewide presidential preference primary shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February of each presidential election year. [MO Revised Statutes 115.755]
  • (2015-2022) A statewide presidential preference primary shall be held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each presidential election year. [MO Revised Statutes 115.755]
  • (2022--) 29 June 2022: HB 1878 was signed into law by Governor Michael L. "Mike" Parson (Republican). It repeals the Presidential primary [Section 115.351, 115.776, and 115.904].
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in August in even-numbered years
    [MO Revised Statutes 115.121.2]
  • Polls open: 6 AM
    Polls close: 7 PM
    [MO Revised Statutes 115.407]
Montana
  • 13-1-104. Times for holding general elections. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), a general election must be held throughout the state in every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November .... [Montana Code Annotated]
  • 13-10-401. ... a presidential preference primary election will be held on the same day as the primary provided for in 13-1-107 [the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June]. [Montana Code Annotated]
  • 13-1-107. Times for holding primary elections. (1) On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June preceding the general election provided for in 13-1-104(1), a primary election shall be held throughout the state. [Montana Code Annotated]
  • 13-1-106. Time of opening and closing of polls for all elections -- exceptions. (1) Polls must be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., except polling places having fewer than 400 registered electors, which must be open from noon to 8 p.m. .... [Montana Code Annotated]
Nebraska
  • The statewide general election shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year. [State of Nebraska Statutes Section 32-403]
  • The statewide primary election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in May in even-numbered years. The statewide primary election shall be held for the purposes of ... (2) electing delegates to the county, state, and national political party conventions, if applicable, (3) in each presidential election year, voting on a preference for President of the United States, ... [State of Nebraska Statutes Section 32-401]
  • The statewide primary election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in May in even-numbered years. The statewide primary election shall be held for the purposes of (1) nominating all candidates to be voted for at the statewide general election except (a) candidates who were unopposed at the primary election and not required to be on the ballot and (b) candidates who petition on the ballot or are nominated by their political party, ... [State of Nebraska Statutes Section 32-401]
  • Polls open: 8:00a Central time, 7:00 AM Mountain time.
    Polls close: 8:00p Central time, 7:00 PM Mountain time.
    [State of Nebraska Statutes 32-908 (1): "Polls; when opened and closed."]
Nevada
  • A general election must be held throughout the State on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in each even-numbered year. [NRS 293.12755]
  • (2021--) AB126 (2021) Sec. 43.1. ... a presidential preference primary election must be held for all major political parties on the 1st Tuesday in February of each presidential election year.
  • (--2009) The primary election must be held on the 12th Tuesday before the general election in each even-numbered year. [NRS 293.175 1.]
  • (2009--) The primary election must be held on the second Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year. [NRS 293.175] (Governor Gibbons signed SB 162 on 28 May 2009. The bill becomes effective 1 October 2009 and moves the primary from August to the second Tuesday in June).
  • ... the polls must open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. [NRS 293.273 1.]
New Hampshire
  • The state general election shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year. [RSA 653:7]
  • (--2007) The presidential primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in March or on a Tuesday selected by the secretary of state which is 7 days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election, whichever is earlier, of each year when a president of the United States is to be elected or the year previous. [RSA 653:9]
  • (2007--) The presidential primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in March or on a date selected by the secretary of state which is 7 days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election, whichever is earlier, of each year when a president of the United States is to be elected or the year previous. [RSA 653:9] [The law no longer requires the primary to be held on a Tuesday in the year of the Presidential election. -Ed]
  • The state primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in September of every even-numbered year. [RSA 653:8]
  • Hours of Polling in Municipalities. At all state elections in towns and cities the polls shall open not later than 11 o'clock in the morning and shall close not earlier than 7 o'clock in the evening. In cities, the city council shall determine the polling hours no later than 30 days prior to a state election. [RSA 659:4]
New Jersey
  • Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. [N.J.S.A. 19:2-3] ... the Secretary of State may change the date ... if the date coincides with a period of religious observance ... the secretary shall inform the ... boards of election of the adjustment no later than the first working day in January of the year in which the adjustments are to occur. (A3186, 25 September 2008) [19:2-1]
  • (2005-2007) The last Tuesday in February in Presidential election years (A30, SB1297 / S2402, 7 July 2005) [19:2-1]
  • (2007-2008) The first Tuesday in February in Presidential election years (S2193, 1 April 2007) [19:2-1]
  • (2009-2011) Presidential primary elections ... shall be held in each presidential year on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in February ... the Secretary of state may change the date ... if the date coincides with a period of religious observance ... the secretary shall inform the ... boards of election of the adjustment no later than the first working day in January of the year prior ... (A3186, 25 September 2008) [19:2-1]
  • (2011--) Primary elections for delegates ... to national conventions of political parties and for the general election shall be held in each year on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in June (A3777, 26 September 2011) [19:2-1]. Delegates ... to the national conventions of the political parties shall be elected at the primary election to be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in June in that year. (A3777, 26 September 2011) [19:3-3]
  • (1968-2011) The Tuesday immediately following the first Monday in June [19:2-1] ... the Secretary of State may change the date ... if the date coincides with a period of religious observance ... the secretary shall inform the ... boards of election of the adjustment no later than the first working day in January of the year in which the adjustments are to occur. (A3186, 25 September 2008) [19:2-1]
  • (2011--) Primary elections for ... the general election shall be held in each year on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in June (A3777, 26 September 2011) [N.J.S.A. 19:2-1, N.J.S.A. 19:23-40].
  • 19:15-2. The district boards shall open the polls for such election at 6:00 A.M. and close them at 8:00 P.M., and shall keep them open during the whole day of election between these hours; except that for a school election the polls shall be open between the hours of 5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. and during any additional time which the school board may designate between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. [New Jersey Permanent Statutes]
New Mexico
  • NM Const. Art. XX, Sec. 6. General elections shall be held in the state on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year.
  • 1-8-54. Presidential primary; date of election. In the year in which the president and vice president of the United States are to be elected, the registered voters of this state shall be given an opportunity to express their preference for the person to be the presidential candidate of their party in either a presidential primary election or in accordance with the selection procedure for presidential candidates of each voter's party. The presidential primary election shall be held on the same date as the primary election is held in this state. [Statutory Chapters in New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978]
  • 1-8-11. Primary Election Law; time of holding primary. A primary election shall be held in each county in this state on the first Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year. [Statutory Chapters in New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978]
  • 1-12-1. Conduct of election; opening and closing of polls. Polls shall be opened at 7:00 a.m. on the date required by law for the election and shall be closed at 7:00 p.m. on the same day. [Statutory Chapters in New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978]
New York
  • The general election shall be held annually on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November. [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (c)]
  • (--2007) In each year in which electors of president and vice president of the United States are to be elected an additional primary election, to be known as the spring primary, shall be held on the first Tuesday in March unless otherwise changed by an act of the legislature, for the purpose of electing delegates to the national convention, members of state and county committees and assembly district leaders and associate assembly district leaders. [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • (2007-2011) In each year in which electors of president and vice president of the United States are to be elected, an additional primary election, to be known as the winter primary, shall be held on the first Tuesday in February unless otherwise changed by an act of the legislature, for the purpose of electing delegates to the national convention. [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • (2012-2015) In the year 2012 ... the Presidential primary, shall be held on April 24, 2012 ... for the purpose of electing delegates to the national convention [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • (2015-2019) In the year 2016 ... the Presidential primary, shall be held on April 19, 2016 ... for the purpose of electing delegates ... to the national convention [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • (2019--) In the year 2020 ... the Presidential primary, shall be held on April 28, 2020 ... for the purpose of electing delegates ... to the national convention [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • (--2012) A primary election, to be known as the fall primary, shall be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September before every general election unless otherwise changed by an act of the legislature [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • (2012-2013) 27 January 2012: U.S. District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe ruled that the New York 2012 primaries for U.S. House and U.S Senate races will be held on the 4th Tuesday in June, beginning 26 June 2012. The MOVE act requires 45 days between the Primary and the General Election for overseas ballots to be sent and returned. [Case 1:10-cv-01214-GLS-RFT]
  • (2014-2017) 12 December 2013 / 29 October 2015: U.S. District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe ruled that the New York 2012-2016 primaries for U.S. House and U.S Senate races will be held on the 4th Tuesday in June. The MOVE act requires 45 days between the Primary and the General Election for overseas ballots to be sent and returned. [Case 1:10-cv-01214-GLS-RFT]
  • (2018-2018) On 2 March 2018, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (Democratic) signed AB8917 which, for 2018 only, moves the state and local partisan primary from Tuesday 11 September to Thursday 13 September. "... the 2018 fall primary shall be held on Thursday, September 13, 2018..." [Section 1].
  • (2019--) A primary election shall be held on the fourth Tuesday in June.... [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (a)]
  • Polls shall be open for voting during the following hours: a primary election from twelve o'clock noon until nine o'clock in the evening, except in the city of New York and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam and Erie, and in such city or county from six o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening; the general election CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS 8-102 from six o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening; a special election called by the governor pursuant to the public officers law, and, except as otherwise provided by law, every other election, from six o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening. [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 2.]
North Carolina
  • On Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in the year 1968, and every four years thereafter, or on such days as the Congress of the United States shall direct.... [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163 § 163-1. c.]
  • (1992-2013) On the Tuesday after the first Monday in May, 1992, and every four years thereafter, the voters of this State shall be given an opportunity to express their preference for the person to be the presidential candidate of their political party. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter § 163‑213.2.]
  • (2013-2015) "the Tuesday after the ... South Carolina presidential preference primary ..." providing that "South Carolina holds its presidential primary before the 15th day of March".
  • (2016-2019) "On March 15, 2016, the voters of this State shall be given an opportunity to express the voters' preference for the person to be the presidential candidate of the voters' political party." [House Bill 373 SECTION 1.(b)]
  • (2020--) On the Tuesday after the first Monday in March, 2020, and every four years thereafter, the voters of this State shall be given an opportunity to express their preference for the person to be the presidential candidate of their political party.... [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-1 (b)]
  • (--2012) On Tuesday next after the first Monday in May preceding each general election to be held in November [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-1 (b)]
    If ... there is more than one person seeking nomination, the substantial plurality shall be ... forty percent (40%) .... the aspirant who obtains a substantial plurality shall be declared the nominee ... If two candidates receive a substantial plurality, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be declared the nominee. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (a)(1)]
    If .. no aspirant receives a substantial plurality ... the aspirant receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared nominated ... unless the aspirant receiving the second highest number of votes shall request a second primary .... In the second primary only the two aspirants who received the highest and next highest number of votes shall be voted for. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (b)(1)]
    If a second primary is required ... the ... board ... shall order that it be held seven weeks after the first primary. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (3)(e)]
  • (2012-2015) On Tuesday next after the first Monday in May preceding each general election to be held in November [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-1. b.]
    If ... there is more than one person seeking nomination, the substantial plurality shall be ... forty percent (40%) .... the aspirant who obtains a substantial plurality shall be declared the nominee ... If two candidates receive a substantial plurality, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be declared the nominee. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (a)(1)]
    If .. no aspirant receives a substantial plurality ... the aspirant receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared nominated ... unless the aspirant receiving the second highest number of votes shall request a second primary .... In the second primary only the two aspirants who received the highest and next highest number of votes shall be voted for. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (b)(1)]
    If a second primary is required ... the ... board ... shall order that it be held 10 weeks after the first primary if any of the offices ... is for .. United States Senate or ... House of Representatives. Otherwise, the second primary will be held 7 weeks after the first primary. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (3)(e)]
  • (2016-2017) ... the primary election in 2016 shall be conducted on the same date as the 2016 presidential preference primary [15 March 2016] ... [House Bill 373 SECTION 2.(a)]
    ... if a second primary is required ... the appropriate board of elections... shall order that it be held May 24, 2016, if any of the offices for which a second primary is required are for a candidate for the office of United States Senate or member of the United States House of Representatives. Otherwise, the second primary shall be held May 3, 2016. [House Bill 373 SECTION 2.(d)]
  • (2018-2019) On Tuesday next after the first Monday in May preceding each general election to be held in November [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-1. b.]
    If a nominee for a single office is to be selected, and there is more than one person seeking nomination, the substantial plurality shall be ... 30% ... the aspirant who obtains a substantial plurality shall be declared the nominee. If two candidates receive a substantial plurality, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be declared the nominee. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (a)(1)]
    If .. no aspirant receives a substantial plurality ... the aspirant receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared nominated ... unless the aspirant receiving the second highest number of votes shall request a second primary .... In the second primary only the two aspirants who received the highest and next highest number of votes shall be voted for. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (b)(1)]
    If a second primary is required ... the ... board ... shall order that it be held 10 weeks after the first primary if any of the offices ... is for .. United States Senate or ... House of Representatives. Otherwise, the second primary will be held 7 weeks after the first primary. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-111 (3)(e)]
  • (2019--) On Tuesday next after the first Monday in March preceding each general election to be held in November ... there shall be held ... a primary election for the purpose of nominating candidates for each political party.... [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-1 (b)]
    If a nominee for a single office is to be selected, and there is more than one person seeking nomination, the substantial plurality shall be ... 30% ... the aspirant who obtains a substantial plurality shall be declared the nominee. If two candidates receive a substantial plurality, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be declared the nominee. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163A. § 163A-984 (a)(1)]
    If .. no aspirant receives a substantial plurality ... the aspirant receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared nominated ... unless the aspirant receiving the second highest number of votes shall request a second primary .... In the second primary only the two aspirants who received the highest and next highest number of votes shall be voted for. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163A. § 163A-984 (b)(1)]
    If a second primary is required ... the ... board ... shall order that it be held 10 weeks after the first primary if any of the offices ... is for .. United States Senate or ... House of Representatives. Otherwise, the second primary will be held 7 weeks after the first primary. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163A. § 163A-984 (e)]
  • Hours for voting. In every election, the voting place shall be open at 6:30 A.M. and shall be closed at 7:30 P.M. In extraordinary circumstances, the county board of elections may direct that the polls remain open until 8:30 P.M. [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163. § 163-166.01.]
North Dakota
  • The general election must be held in all the election districts of this state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. [NDCC § 16.1-13-01]
  • Second Tuesday in June [NDCC § 16.1-11-01]
  • Polling locations cannot open earlier than 7:00 a.m. and must be open by 9:00 a.m. with the exception of those precincts in which fewer than 75 votes were cast in the last General Election. The governing body of the exempt polling locations may direct the polls to open no later than 12:00 noon. All polling locations must remain open until 7:00 p.m. and close no later than 9:00 p.m. [NDCC § 16.1-01-03].
Northern Marianas
  • (--2009) First Saturday in November in odd-numbered years.
  • (2009--) ... general elections shall be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in even numbered years ... [CNMI Election Law CHAPTER 5. Article 1. 6501.]
    If-in an election for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor-no candidate receives more than one-half (1/2) of the total votes cast and counted, there shall be a runoff election fourteen (14) days after the Commonwealth Election Commission has certified the results of the general election ... The candidates who received the highest and second highest number of votes cast and counted in the general election shall compete in the runoff election. The candidates who receive more than half of the votes cast and counted in the runoff shall be declared the winner. [CNMI Election Law CHAPTER 5. Article 1. 6509.(a) and (b)]. Note: There is no runoff in 2018 but we have not found the appropriate statute.
  • Polling places shall open at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the election and shall be kept open until 7:00 p.m. [PL 12-18, 2 (6522)][1 CMC 6522]
Ohio
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November
    (State and County elective officals chosen in even-numbered years;
    local elective officials chosen in odd-numbered years)
    [OH Constitution: Article XVII, Section 1]
  • (--2011) at the same time as the State Primary (Tuesday next after 1st Monday in March) in Presidential Election years
    [OH Revised Code 3513.12]
  • (2011-2011) Primary elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May ... [OH Revised Code 3501.01 (E) (1)] ... presidential primary elections are included in references to primary elections... [OH Revised Code 3501.01 (E) (2)] ... At a presidential primary election ... delegates ... to the national conventions ... shall be chosen ... [OH Revised Code 3513.12]
  • (2011-2012) On June 12, 2012, a primary election shall be conducted for the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States ... candidates for at-large delegate and alternate to the national convention of a major political party, and candidates for district delegate and alternate to the national convention of a major political party. [HB 319 Section 3 (2)]
  • (2012-2012) In the year 2012 a single primary election shall be conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March for the purpose of nominating candidates for all offices that are scheduled for election in 2012... [Section 3501.02 of the Revised Code]
  • (2015-2019) ... a presidential primary election, which shall be held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March in the year 2016, and similarly in every fourth year thereafter ... [OH Revised Code 3513.12]
  • (2019--) In years in which a presidential primary election is held, all primary elections shall be held on the third Tuesday after the first Monday in March .... [OH Revised Code 3501.01 (E)(2)]
  • (--2011) Tuesday next after 1st Monday in May of non-Presidential Election years;
    Tuesday next after 1st Monday in March of Presidential Election years
    [OH Revised Code 3513.01(A)]
  • (2011-2011) ... first Tuesday after the first Monday in May of every other year ...
    [OH Revised Code 3513.01(A)]
  • (2011-2015) ... On March 6, 2012, a primary election shall be conducted for the purpose of nominating candidates for all offices that are scheduled for election in 2012 ... except candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States, candidates for the office of member of the United States House of Representatives, candidates for at-large delegate and alternate to the national convention of a major political party, and candidates for district delegate and alternate to the national convention of a major political party. [HB 319 Section 3 (1)]
    ... On June 12, 2012, a primary election shall be conducted for the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States, candidates for the office of member of the United States House of Representatives, candidates for at-large delegate and alternate to the national convention of a major political party, and candidates for district delegate and alternate to the national convention of a major political party. [HB 319 Section 3 (2)]
  • (2012-2012) In the year 2012 a single primary election shall be conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March for the purpose of nominating candidates for all offices that are scheduled for election in 2012... [Section 3501.02 of the Revised Code]
  • (2015-2019) ... on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in March of 2016 and every fourth year thereafter, and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May of every other year, primary elections shall be held for the purpose of nominating persons as candidates of political parties for election to offices to be voted for at the succeeding general election. [OH Revised Code 3513.01(A)]
  • (2019--) Primary elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May of each year except in years in which a presidential primary election is held. [OH Revised Code 3501.01 (E)(1)] ... In years in which a presidential primary election is held, all primary elections shall be held on the third Tuesday after the first Monday in March ... [OH Revised Code 3501.01 (E)(2)]
  • (2022-2022) "... a person shall file the ... declaration of candidacy, declaration of candidacy and petition, nominating petition, or declaration to be a write-in candidate not later ... the sixtieth day before the day of that election ...." [Sections 3521.01 to 3521.0115. Section 4. (A)] [Senate Bill 258]
  • Polls open: 6:30 AM local time
    Polls close: 7:30 PM local time
    [OH Revised Code 3501.32]
Oklahoma
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [OK Statutes 26-1-101]
  • (--2003) 2d Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    [OK Statutes 26-20-101]
  • (2003-2011) A. A Presidential Preferential Primary for recognized political parties shall be held on the first Tuesday in February in each of the years in which the President and Vice President of the United States are to be elected. B. If one or more states having a mutual boundary with this state establish a single date for a regional primary, the State Election Board is authorized to change the date of the Oklahoma primary to the date established for the regional primary
    [OK Statutes 26-20-101]
  • (2012--) A. A Presidential Preferential Primary ... shall be held on the first Tuesday in March in each of the years in which the President and Vice President of the United States are to be elected.
    B. If one or more states having a mutual boundary with this state establish a single date for a regional primary, the State Election Board is authorized to change the date of the Oklahoma primary to the date established for the regional primary, as long as the date is not before the first Tuesday in March. [OK Statutes 26-20-101]
  • (--2003) 4th Tuesday in August of even-numbered years
    [OK Statutes 26-1-102]
    (if no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the State Primary:
    Runoff-- 3d Tuesday in September following State Primary
    [OK Statutes 26-1-103])
  • (2007-2011) A Primary Election shall be held on the last Tuesday in July of each even-numbered year... [OK Statutes 26-1-102]
    If ... no candidate ... receives a majority ... the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes ... shall be placed on the ... ballot ... at a Runoff Primary Election to be held on the fourth Tuesday of August ... [OK Statutes 26-1-103])
  • (2011-2023) A Primary Election shall be held on the last Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year... [OK Statutes 26-1-102]
    If ... no candidate ... receives a majority ... the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes ... shall be placed on the ... ballot ... at a Runoff Primary Election to be held on the fourth Tuesday of August ... [OK Statutes 26-1-103])
  • (2023--) A Primary Election shall be held on the 3rd Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year... [OK Statutes 26-1-102]
    If ... no candidate ... receives a majority ... the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes ... shall be placed on the ... ballot ... at a Runoff Primary Election to be held on the fourth Tuesday of August ... [OK Statutes 26-1-103])
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    (OK Statutes 26-7-104[A])
Oregon
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [OR Revised Statutes 254.056(1)]
  • at the same time as the State Primary [3d Tuesday in May (OR Revised Statutes 254.056(2))] in Presidential Election years
    [implied by the language of OR Revised Statutes 248.315(1)]
  • 3d Tuesday in May of even-numbered years
    [OR Revised Statutes 254.056(2)]
    For non-partisan offices only: If a candidate receives a majority of the vote in the May primary, that candidate is elected. Otherwise, the top two vote getters go to a runoff in November. [OR Revised Statutes 249.088]
  • (--2007) The polls shall be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. [Oregon Revised Statutes 254.325(1), repealed by 2007 c.154 §67].
  • (2007--) The Secretary of State ... shall establish ... places of deposit for the ballots cast ... the places ... shall be open ... for a period of eight or more hours, but must be open until at least 8 p.m. [Oregon Revised Statutes 254.470 (1)].
    [Note: Oregon votes by mail. Ballots must be in the hands of election workers or in an official drop-off location no later than 8 PM local time. County elections offices are open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.]
Pennsylvania
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [Unconsolidated PA Statutes 25-2751]
  • at the same time as the State Primary in Presidential Election years (4th Tuesday in April... but see NOTE re: State Primary)
    [Unconsolidated PA Statutes 25-2753(a)]
  • even-numbered years... 3d Tuesday in May of non-Presidential Election years;
    4th Tuesday in April of Presidential Election years
    [Unconsolidated PA Statutes 25-2753(a)...
    (NOTE: the 2000 State Primary [and, by extension (see above), PA's Presidential Primary] was specifically set for 4 April, which was the 1st Tuesday in April of that year, in section 25-2753(b1))]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 8 PM local time
    [Unconsolidated PA Statutes 25-3045]
Puerto Rico
  • (1980--) Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years. (The Constitution of Puerto Rico states that the General Election is to be held in November every 4 years, leaving the specific date to be set by law.)
  • (--2019) The presidential primary of the Republican Party will be held on the last Sunday of the month of February ... as long as it does not precede or coincide with the celebration of the presidential primary of the State of New Hampshire. If there is such a conflict, the presidential primary will be held on the first Sunday of March. The Democratic Party presidential primary will be held on the first Sunday of June.... [§ 1324.]
  • (2019-2023) The presidential primary of the Republican Party will be held on the last Sunday of the month of February ... as long as it does not precede or coincide with the celebration of the presidential primary of the State of New Hampshire. If there is such a conflict, the presidential primary will be held on the first Sunday of March. The Democratic Party presidential primary will be held on the last Sunday of March .... [§ 1324.] ... In the case of primaries for ... President ... the same may be held on any date after the 1st Tuesday of February ... and up to June 15th ... as determined by the local body of the party .... [Chapter 407 § 4119]
  • (2024--) En, y a partir de este ciclo, las primarias presidenciales se realizarán en las fechas que el presidente de cada uno de los Partidos Nacionales Estatales le notifique por escrito al Presidente de la Comisión, no más tarde de 1ro. de diciembre del año previo al de Elecciones Generales. La fecha seleccionada por los presidentes de los Partidos Nacionales Estatales siempre será dentro del año que corresponda a la próxima Elección General.
    ... the presidential primaries will be held on the dates that each of the ... parties notifies the ... Commission in writing, no later than 1 December of the year prior to the General Election. [Article 8.6.a. (16 L.P.R.A. § 4646) (2)]
  • (2008-2011) 12 days before Good Friday in the year of the General Election.
  • (2011--) Las primarias que tengan que celebrarse bajo las disposiciones de esta Ley tendrán lugar el tercer domingo del mes de marzo del año en que se celebren Elecciones Generales salvo ese domingo sea domingo de ramos o domingo de resurrección en cuyo caso será el segundo domingo de marzo del mismo año. Las primarias serán el primer domingo de marzo si el tercer y segundo domingo de marzo caen en estos días feriados.
    The 3rd Sunday in March in years in which general elections are held. If that Sunday is either Palm Sunday or Easter, then the 2nd Sunday in March. If that Sunday is either Palm Sunday or Easter, then the 1st Sunday in March. [Artículo 8.009]
  • (--2011) Los colegios se abriran a las ocho del la manana hast las tres de la tarde para llevar a cabo la votacion. Polls are open at 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. [Article 5.027]
  • (2011--) Los colegios de votación abrirán a las nueve de la mañana (9:00 am) y cerrarán a las cinco de la tarde (5:00 pm). Polling places open at 9 am and close at 5 pm. [Artículo 9.027]
Rhode Island
  • A meeting of the electors ... shall be held biennially in the even years on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November ... [General Laws of RI 17-18-5]
  • (1996-2011) 1st Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    [General Laws of RI 17-12.1-1]
  • (2011-2023) ... fourth Tuesday in April 2012, and every fourth year thereafter
    [General Laws of RI 17-12.1-1]
  • (2023--) 4th Tuesday in April 2012, and every fourth year thereafter [General Laws of RI 17-12.1-1(a)]. for the 2024 primary .. shall be conducted on April 2, 2024. [General Laws of RI 17-12.1-1.(b)]
  • (--2019) 2d Tuesday after 1st Monday in September of even-numbered years [General Laws of RI 17-15-1].
    In the event that the date for the ... primary election ... falls upon ... a religious holiday, the primary shall be held upon the next business day, other than Saturday .... [General Laws of RI § 17-15-2]
    Party designation. (a) Whenever any person registers to vote, that person may designate his or her party affiliation, or ... that he or she is not affiliated with any political party. ... (c) Whenever any person participates [votes -Ed] in a party primary, that act shall serve as identifying the person as being affiliated with the party... [General Laws of RI 17-9.1-23]
  • (2019--) 8th Tuesday preceding biennial state elections. [General Laws of RI 17-15-1].
    In the event that the date for the ... primary election ... falls upon ... a religious holiday, the primary shall be held upon the next business day, other than Saturday .... [General Laws of RI § 17-15-2]
    Party designation. (a) Whenever any person registers to vote, that person may designate his or her party affiliation, or ... that he or she is not affiliated with any political party. ... (c) Whenever any person participates [votes -Ed] in a party primary, that act shall serve as identifying the person as being affiliated with the party... [General Laws of RI 17-9.1-23]
  • (--2011) Elective meetings ... shall be opened for the purpose of voting at the hours specified for each particular city or town as designated in the specific time ... (polls open 7 am to 9 am by location; as late as 12 noon by location for Presidential Primaries -Ed) [General Laws of RI 17-18-10].
    Elective meetings in all cities and towns shall be continuously kept open for voting until 9 p.m. [General Laws of RI 17-18-11, also 17-15-28].
  • (2012--) Elective meetings ... shall be opened for the purpose of voting at the hours specified for each particular city or town as designated in the specific time ... (polls open 7 am to 9 am by location; as late as 12 noon by location for Presidential Primaries -Ed) [General Laws of RI 17-18-10].
    Elective meetings in all cities and towns shall be continuously kept open for voting until 8 p.m. [General Laws of 17-18-11.].
South Carolina
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [Code of Laws of SC 7-13-10]
  • NOTE: State Committee of Party wishing to hold a Presidential (either Preference or Advisory) Primary alone determines the date and polling hours of same
    [Code of Laws of SC 7-11-20 & 7-11-25]
  • 2d Tuesday in June of even-numbered years
    [Code of Laws of SC 7-13-15 (7-13-40)]
    "Second Primary" (a "runoff" where no candidate in the Primary has received at least a majority of the vote): two weeks after the State Primary (that is, the 4th Tuesday in June of even-numbered years)
    [Code of Laws of SC 7-13-50 (7-13-40)]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    The polls must be opened at seven o'clock a.m. and closed at seven o'clock p.m. the day of election and must be held open during these hours without intermission or adjournment. [Code of Laws of SC 7-13-60]
South Dakota
  • Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [SD Codified Laws 12-2-2]
  • at the same time as the State Primary [first Tuesday after the first Monday in June (SD Codified Laws 12-2-1)] in Presidential Election years
    [SD Codified Laws 12-5-3.11-- which provides that, in the absence of any other method of choosing National Convention delegates and alternates by a Party, said positions shall be elected in the State Primary]
  • (--2005) ... first Tuesday in June of every even-numbered year. [SD Codified Laws 12-2-1].
    If no candidate for United States Senate, congressman, or Governor in a race involving three or more candidates receives thirty-five percent of the votes of his party, a secondary election shall be held two weeks from the date of the first primary election. At the secondary election the only persons voted for shall be the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes at the first election. [SD Codified Laws 12-6-51.1].
  • (2005-2011) The primary election ... shall be held ... on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of every even-numbered year.
    [SD Codified Laws 12-2-1].
    If no candidate for United States Senate, congressman, or Governor in a race involving three or more candidates receives thirty-five percent of the votes of his party, a secondary election shall be held two weeks from the date of the first primary election. At the secondary election the only persons voted for shall be the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes at the first election.
    [SD Codified Laws 12-6-51.1].
  • (2010-2012) The primary election ... shall be held ... on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of every even-numbered year.
    [SD Codified Laws 12-2-1].
    If no candidate for United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, or Governor in a race involving three or more candidates receives thirty-five percent of the votes of the candidate's party, a secondary election shall be held three weeks from the date of the first primary election. At the secondary election the only persons voted for shall be the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes at the first election.
    [SD Codified Laws 12-6-51.1].
  • (2013--) The primary election ... shall be held ... on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of every even-numbered year.
    [SD Codified Laws 12-2-1].
    If no candidate for United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, or Governor in a race involving three or more candidates receives thirty-five percent of the votes of the candidate's party, a secondary election shall be held ten weeks from the date of the first primary election. At the secondary election the only persons voted for shall be the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes at the first election.
    [SD Codified Laws 12-6-51.1].
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    12-2-3. ... the polls shall be opened at the hour of seven a.m. and remain continuously open until seven p.m ... [SD Codified Laws 12-2-3]
Tennessee
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [TN Constitution Art.II, sec.7 re: members of both houses of the General Assembly; TN Constitution Art. III, sec. 2 specifically mandates that the Governor be chosen at the same time as members of the General Assembly in the General Election immediately preceding the end of the incumbent Governor's term of office]
  • (--2003) 2d Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    [TN Code 2-13-205]
  • (2003-2007) On the second Tuesday in February before presidential electors are elected, a presidential preference primary shall be held for each statewide political party.
    [TN Code 2-13-205]
  • (2007-2011) On the first Tuesday in February before presidential electors are elected, a presidential preference primary shall be held for each statewide political party.
    [TN Code 2-13-205]
  • (2011--) On the first Tuesday in March before presidential electors are elected, a presidential preference primary shall be held for each statewide political party.
    [TN Code 2-13-205]
  • 1st Thursday in August
    [TN Code 2-13-202]
    (NOTE: this date happens to be the one set aside for that known as the "regular August election" at which "judicial and other civil officers" are elected per TN Constitution Art. VII, sec. 5 and TN Code 2-3-202; TN Code 2-13-202 mandates the nomination of State and Federal officers at this "regular August election")
  • polls open: no later than 8 AM local time in the more populous counties
    ...but nothing shall prevent an earlier opening time in the discretion of the county election commission....
    (in all counties, polls must be open no less than 10 continuous hours);
    no polling place in the State may be open more than 13 continuous hours
    polls close: 8 PM local time in the Eastern Time Zone;
    7 PM local time in the Central Time Zone
    [TN Code 2-3-201]
Texas
  • 1st Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    [TX Election Code 41.007(c)]
  • (--2011) "General Primary": 1st Tuesday in March of even-numbered years [TX Election Code 41.007(a)]
    "Runoff Primary" (re: races in which no candidate has received a majority of the vote in the "General Primary"): 2d Tuesday in April of even-numbered years [TX Election Code 41.007(b)]
  • (2012--) "General Primary": 1st Tuesday in March of even-numbered years [TX Election Code 41.007(a)]
    "Runoff Primary" (re: races in which no candidate has received a majority of the vote in the "General Primary"): 4th Tuesday in May following the general primary election. [TX Election Code 41.007(b)]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time.
    [41.031(a) Voting Hours]
Utah
  • A regular general election shall be held throughout the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. [UT Code 20A-1-201(1)]
  • (--2006) Friday next after 1st Monday in March of Presidential Election years
    [UT Code 20A-9-802(1)(a)]
  • (2006-2011) There is established a Western States Presidential Primary election to be held on the first Tuesday in February in the year in which a presidential election will be held. [UT Code 20A-9-802(1)(a)]
  • (2011-2016) "If there is no legislative appropriation for the Western States Presidential Primary ... a candidate for President of the United States who is affiliated with a registered political party and chooses to participate in the regular primary election ..." [Subsection (6)]
  • (2017-2019) A presidential primary election shall be held each year in which a presidential election will be held. A registered political party that wishes to nominate a presidential candidate for the general election may participate in a presidential primary election ... [UT Code 20A-9-810(1) and (2)]
  • (2019--) A presidential primary election shall be held throughout the state on the 1st Tuesday in March .... [UT Code Section 20A-1-201.5 (3)]
  • A regular primary election shall be held throughout the state on the fourth Tuesday of June of each even numbered year [UT Code 20A-1-201.5(1)]
    In 2020, the regular primary election shall be held throughout the state on June 30.... [UT Code 20A-1-201.5(4)]
  • Opening and closing of polls on election day. (1) Polls at all elections on the date of the election shall open at 7 a.m. and shall remain open until 8 p.m. of the same day. [UT Code 20A-1-302]
Vermont
  • ... on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday of November ...
    [Constitution of the State of Vermont. Chapter II. § 43. and § 44.]
  • 1st Tuesday in March of Presidential Election years
    [VT Statutes 2701]
  • (--2010) 2d Tuesday in September of even-numbered years
    [Vt. Statutes 17 § 2351]
  • (2010-2014) fourth Tuesday in August in each even-numbered year [17 V.S.A. § 2351]
  • (2016--) second Tuesday in August in each even-numbered year [17 V.S.A. § 2351]
  • ... the polls shall open no earlier than 5:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 a.m. as set by the board of civil authority in each town unless the board of civil authority has elected to open the polls earlier than 6:00 a.m. as provided in section 2494 of this title. The polls in all polling places shall close at 7:00 p.m. [17 V.S.A. § 2561]
Virgin Islands
  • (--2013) The next general election in the Virgin Islands shall be held on November 2, 1954 ... Thereafter the general elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, beginning with the year 1956, and every two years thereafter. [U.S. Code Title 48,Chapter 12, Subchapter III, §1576][18 VIC 231]
    (a) The Delegate from the Virgin Islands shall be elected at large, by separate ballot and by a majority of the votes cast for the office of Delegate. ... If no candidate receives such majority, on the fourteenth day following such election a runoff election shall be held between the candidates receiving the highest and the second highest number of votes cast for the office of Delegate. In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, by reason of death, resignation, or permanent disability, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor shall have been elected and qualified. [U.S. Code Title 48, Chapter 16, Subchapter I, §1712] [Revised Organic Act of 1954, Sec., 11 re: Gov.-Lt Gov.; PL 92-271]
  • (2013--) "General elections shall be held in the Virgin Islands on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, beginning with the year 1964, and every two years thereafter ..." [18 V.I.C. §231]
    "If no candidates receive a majority of the votes cast in any election, on the fourteenth day thereafter a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor receiving the highest and second highest numbers of votes cast." [V.I.C. Rev. Org. Act of 1954 § 11 (2013)]
  • (--2012) Party primary elections shall be held in the Virgin Islands on the second Saturday of September for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination to public offices to be voted for at the ensuing general election. [Title 18 Chapter 11 § 232] [18 VIC 232]
  • (2012--) Party primary elections shall be held in the Virgin Islands on the first Saturday of August for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination to public offices to be voted for at the ensuing general election. [18 V.I.C. § 232]
  • At all primaries and elections, the polls shall be open from 7:00 a.m., until 7:00 p.m. [Title 18 Chapter 21 Subchapter §555]
Virginia
  • Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years.
  • (2004-2011) Primaries for the nomination of candidates for the office of President of the United States to be voted on at the November 2004 general election, and the November general election in each presidential election year thereafter, shall be held on the second Tuesday in February preceding the November general election. [Code of Virginia § 24.2-544.A]
  • (2012--) Primaries for the nomination of candidates for the office of President of the United States to be voted on at the November 2012 general election, and the November general election in each presidential election year thereafter, shall be held on the first Tuesday in March preceding the November general election. [Code of Virginia § 24.2-544.A]
  • (2004-2011) Primaries for the nomination of candidates for offices to be voted on at the general election date in November shall be held on the second Tuesday in June next preceding such election, except that beginning with the year 2004 and in presidential election years thereafter, primaries to choose among presidential candidates may be held as provided below in Article 7 (§ 24.2-544 et seq.) of this chapter on the second Tuesday in February. Primaries for the nomination of candidates for offices to be voted on at the general election date in May shall be held on the first Tuesday in March next preceding such election, except that beginning with the year 2004 and in presidential election years thereafter, primaries for the nomination of candidates for offices to be voted on at the general election date in May shall be held as described below in Article 7 of this chapter on the second Tuesday in February. [Code of Virginia § 24.2-515]. Governor Robert F. "Bob" McDonnell signed HB1507 on 17 February 2011. The bill moves the 2011 primary from 14 June to 23 August 2011 to give the state additional time to complete the redistricting process. The law expires on 1 January 2012 so the state will revert to a June primary in 2012.
  • (2012-2021) Primaries for the nomination of candidates for offices to be voted on at the general election date in November shall be held on the second Tuesday in June ... [Code of Virginia § 24.2-515]
  • (2021--) Primaries for the nomination of candidates ... shall be held on the third Tuesday in June ... [Code of Virginia § 24.2-515]
  • Hours polls to be open; closing the polls. At all elections, the polls shall be open at each polling place at 6:00 a.m. on the day of the election and closed at 7:00 p.m. on the same day. [Code of Virginia § 24.2-603]
Washington
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November
    [Revised Code of [before 2007: WA 29.13.010; beginning in 2007: RCW 29A.04.321, in accordance with WA Constitution: Article II, Section 5]
  • (--2011) 4th Tuesday in May of Presidential Election years... however, the Secretary of State may propose an alternative date no later than 1 August of the preceding year
    [Revised Code of WA 29.19.020(1) RCW 29A.56.020(1)]... or
    a Major Party state committee may propose an alternative date no later than 1 September of the preceding year
    [Revised Code of WA 29.19.020(2) RCW 29A.56.020(2)]... provided
    that any such alternative date then be approved by two-thirds vote of a committee- one consisting of the Secretary of State (who chairs said committee), the chair and vice-chair of each Major Party and the Party leaders of each house of the Legislature- no later than 1 October of the preceding year.
    [Revised Code of WA 29.19.020(3) RCW 29A.56.020(3)]
  • (2011-2019) 4th Tuesday in May of Presidential Election years... however, the Secretary of State may propose an alternative date no later than 1 August of the preceding year [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1. (1)]
    ... or a Major Party state committee may propose an alternative date no later than 1 September of the preceding year [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1. (2)]
    ... provided that any such alternative date then be approved by two-thirds vote of a committee- one consisting of the Secretary of State (who chairs said committee), the chair and vice-chair of each Major Party and the Party leaders of each house of the Legislature- no later than 1 October of the preceding year. [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1.(3)]
    ... No presidential primary may be held in 2012 ... [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1. (5)]
    ... Section 1 of this act expires January 1, 19 2013. [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 2. (1)]
  • (2019--) 2th Tuesday in March .... The Secretary of State may propose an alternative date .... no later than 1 September of the year before [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1. (1) and (2)(a)]
    ... or No later than the 15th day of September of the year before ... the state committee of any major political party ... may propose an alternative date .... [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1. (b)]
    ... provided that any such alternative date then be approved by two-thirds vote of a committee- one consisting of the Secretary of State (who chairs said committee), the chair and vice-chair of each Major Party and the Party leaders of each house of the Legislature- no later than 1 October of the preceding year. [Revised Code of WA - RCW 29A.56.020 Sec. 1.(3)]
  • (--2006) 3d Tuesday in September or 7th Tuesday next preceding the General Election, whichever occurs first
    [Revised Code of WA 29.13.070]
  • (2007-2011) 3rd Tuesday in August [RCW 29A.04.311]
  • (2012--) Primaries ... must be held on the first Tuesday of ... August. [RCW 29A.04.311]
  • When voting at a polling place:
    Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 8 PM local time
    [Revised Code of WA 29.13.080, Recodified RCW 29A.44.070 effective 1 July 2004]
    When voting by mail:
    "If mailed, a ballot must be postmarked not later than the date of the ... election. Otherwise, the ballot must be ... at ... the designated place ... not later than 8:00 p.m." [RCW 29A.48.050]
West Virginia
  • Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November
    [WV Constitution: Article IV, Section 7]
  • at the same time as the State Primary [2d Tuesday in May of even-numbered years (WV Code 3-5-1)] in Presidential Election years
    [WV Code 3-5-3]
  • 2d Tuesday in May of even-numbered years
    [WV Code 3-5-1]
  • Polls shall be opened in each precinct on the day of such election at six-thirty o'clock in the forenoon and be closed at seven-thirty o'clock in the evening. [West Virginia Code §3-1-31. Days and hours of elections.]
Wisconsin
  • "General election" means the election held in even−numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November to elect United States senators, representatives in congress, presidential electors, state senators, representatives to the assembly, district attorneys, state officers other than the state superintendent and judicial officers, and county officers other than supervisors and county executives. [WI Statutes 5.02(5)]
  • (--2011) "Spring primary" ... means the primary held on the 3rd Tuesday in February to nominate nonpartisan candidates to be voted for at the spring election and to express preferences for the person to be the presidential candidate for each party in a year in which electors for president and vice president are to be elected. [WI Statutes 5.02(22)]
  • (2011--) "Spring election" means the election held on the first Tuesday in April to ... express preferences for the person to be the presidential candidate for each party in a year in which electors for president and vice president are to be elected. [WI Statutes 5.02(22)]
  • (--2011) 2d Tuesday in September
    [WI Statutes 10.78(4)(c)1]
  • "Spring primary" ... held on the 3rd Tuesday in February to nominate nonpartisan candidates ... and to express preferences for the person to be the presidential candidate for each party in a year in which electors for president and vice president are to be elected. [WI Statutes 5.02(22)]
    "Spring election" ... held on the first Tuesday in April to elect ... nonpartisan ... [WI Statutes 5.02(21)]
  • (2012--) Partisan primary means the primary held the 2nd Tuesday in August to nominate candidates to be voted for at the general election. [WI Statutes 10.78(4)(c)1, 502.(18)]
  • The polls at every election shall be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. [WI Statutes 6.78(1m)]
Wyoming
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [WY Statutes 22-2-104(a)]
  • Tuesday next after 3d Monday in August of even-numbered years
    [WY Statutes 22-2-104(b)]
  • Polls open: 7 AM local time
    Polls close: 7 PM local time
    [WY Statutes 22-13-101]
State General Election Presidential Primary State Primary Polling times
 

State and Local Government Outline


Modified .