The State - News from Jan. 27, 1985

The state Democratic convention in Sacramento endorsed a bill in the Legislature that would schedule California’s presidential primary three months earlier to give voters more clout in choosing presidential nominees. Backers said candidates usually establish a winning edge or drop out after earlier Eastern races, lessening the effect of the state’s primaries, despite the fact that California offers the largest number of delegate votes and is an important source of campaign funds. “By the time the election gets to California, all of the money is spent and the decision made,” said Assemblyman Richard Katz of Sepulveda, who introduced the bill to hold the presidential primary in March instead of June. All other primaries would be delayed until September. The change would also affect Republican races.