The state Senate has approved legislation to do away with Arkansas’ February presidential primary — again. 

Earlier in the session,  the Legislature approved and the governor signed into law Senate Bill 56 by Sen. Paul Miller of Melbourne to rejoin the presidential primary with the state primary held in May. 

But some incorrect wording in the measure required it be sent back to the Legislature and that the votes by which it passed the first time be expunged by the House and Senate.  The problem was corrected with an amendment and the Senate approved the new version 35-0 today.

The Legislature in 2005 voted to move the presidential primary from May to February to make the state a bigger player in the 2008 presidential nominating process. But the  intent was thwarted when more than 20 other states also moved their primaries to early February.

A separate measure, SB 253 by Sen. Steve Faris of Malvern would move the presidential and state primaries to late July. That measure is to be considered Thursday by the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs. Faris is the chairman.

Miller said today after his bill was approved that he wasn’t sure whether he would support Faris’ bill.

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