Official Text and Analysis.

Moves the presidential primary to the second Tuesday in March, with certain exceptions. Gives complete authority to major political parties to determine which candidates appear on the presidential primary ballot under the party's banner. Allows voters to indicate a preference for uncommitted delegates in the presidential primary.

Would allow presidential primary voters to participate while choosing not to declare a party affiliation.

Clarifies that each ballot received in a timely fashion for the presidential primary must be included in the canvass report.

The presidential preference primary is renamed as the presidential primary and moved to the second Tuesday in March. The Secretary of State may, by September 1st of the preceding year, propose an alternative date, no earlier than permitted by the national rules of major political parties. Each party determines which names are placed on the presidential primary ballot under that party's banner. Only voters who have declared an affiliation with a party may vote for that party's candidates. If requested by a party chair 63 days before the election, the presidential primary ballot must include a place for voters to indicate a preference for having delegates to that party's convention remain uncommitted. The arrangement and form of presidential ballots must be established by rule in consultation with major political parties.

Removes a provision in the bill that would allow governmental agencies or political organizations to create or maintainrecordsofvoters'politicalpartydeclarations. Removesa provision in current law that allows the Secretary of State to send political parties a copy of the party declarations for, or a list of voters who participated in, the party's presidential primary.

Removes all changes in the underlying bill, except for the change in the date of the presidential primary.

Permits unaffiliated voters to vote for a candidate from a list of all candidates, and changes the ballot format accordingly. Removes provisions in the underlying bill that allow political parties to choose which candidates appear on the ballot. Modifies procedures for removing a candidate from the ballot to give the Secretary of State discretion to remove a candidate under certain circumstances and to allow parties to petition for removal of a candidate. Provides that the Secretary of State does not need committee approval to move the primary date 21 days or fewer in order to hold a regional primary. Removes provisions in the underlying bill that allow parties to request an option for voters to indicate a preference for having delegates to the party's national convention remain uncommitted. Codifies into statute the Secretary of State's rule that statutory recounts are unavailable for the presidential primary. Provides that the earliest date to which the Secretary of State may move the primary is February 15, rather than as permitted by party rules (in the underlying bill) or without limitation (in current law). Effectuates the prohibition on parties maintaining records of voters' party affiliations by removing provisions for the Secretary of State to send party declarations to the parties.

Permits voters who declare an intent not to affiliate with a party and voters who do not subscribe to a party declaration to vote for a candidate from a list of all candidates of any political party. Permits a party to choose whether or not to use votes of unaffiliated voters when allocating delegates to the party's national nominating convention.