ON MOVING THE 2008 PRIMARY ELECTION TO FEBRUARY 5
By, State Sen. Connie Williams

 When you shop for a vehicle, a home, or even a new suit or pair of shoes, you have the ability to choose from the entire market that is available in your price range and that suits your tastes. Isn't it about time that we, as Pennsylvania voters, have the same option when it comes to selecting the candidates for the highest office in the country – President of the United States?

 For those who have followed the recent news coming of out Harrisburg, you likely are aware of an effort by Gov. Ed Rendell to move the 2008 primary election to Feb. 5^th (the first Tuesday in February). This change would ensure that your vote and the collective votes of the Commonwealth help to select the presidential candidate. Present law sets Pennsylvania's 2008 primary on April 22^nd.

 I am among the legislators who support this change, which would ensure that for possibly the first time in 30 years, Pennsylvania would play an important role in selecting the presidential candidates.

 Why do I feel that this is important, especially in the 2008 election? Not only is this the first presidential election since 1952 in which a sitting president or vice president is not a candidate, but many states (by some counts, more than 20) have (or may) moved their primaries to Feb. 5^th. If Pennsylvania doesn't step up to the plate, then we lose the opportunity to truly influence the field of candidates. I believe that Pennsylvania's voters should not be marginalized.

 By moving Pennsylvania's primary to February 5^th, Pennsylvania will be among the first states to narrow the field of presidential candidates, which has swelled to 23 (including those who have officially announced and those considered unofficial candidates).

 What would an earlier primary mean to Pennsylvania candidates? It would mean nominating petitions would have to be circulated in early November instead of in January.

 For voters it would mean a stronger voice in the selection of a candidate for President of the United States. Why should Iowa and New Hampshire be the only states to select the next President?

 During a Senate hearing on the issue, opponents to moving the primary talked about how this change would adversely affect school boards and could potentially interfere during the Christian holiday of Christmas. The change would require school boards to put on display their preliminary budgets by Oct. 18^th and approve them by Nov. 7^th, which can be accomplished.

 Pennsylvanians need to have a strong voice in the selection of a candidate and with a primary in April we don't have that voice. If you want your voice to be heard on this issue, please contact your state senators and state representatives and tell them your opinion.