Legislators vote for all North Carolina primaries in March

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The General Assembly has agreed to hold all primary elections in North Carolina on March 15.

The Senate and House voted separately Thursday for the negotiated agreement, which would ensure North Carolina voters will increase influence in choosing the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees. All primaries usually have been held in May.

But it also accelerates the decision-making process for potential candidates for other offices, from governor and U.S. senator to state legislator and county commissioner. The candidate filing period would begin Dec. 1.

The bill now goes to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk. McCrory has not expressed publicly his views on the bill.

Also expected on the March 15 ballot is a statewide referendum on a $2 billion bond package. That bill is moving toward final legislative approval.

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