Moving Primary Forward is Imprudent, Cutler Says

October 18, 2023

HARRISBURG – House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said Wednesday it is too late to move the 2024 General Primary Election forward and efforts to do so should end.

“At this point, while there might be room for discussion about moving the primary date to avoid various religious holidays, that discussion should center on moving the primary date back to May,” Cutler added. “Moving the primary date back to May is a win-win. It avoids the issue of holiday conflicts while giving counties time to adjust.”





Cutler offered an amendment Wednesday to Senate Bill 224 that would move the 2024 General Primary Election to May 7. To avoid conflict with major religious holidays, the legislation in its current form would move the date to April 16, putting additional and unwanted pressure on counties to adjust to shortened election timelines.

“County commissioners, through their association, have said moving the primary earlier in April now would cause administrative issues, cause undue pressure on elections officials, and be hard for counties to implement,” Cutler said. “Counties have had trouble properly and consistently managing our elections along normal timelines. Senate Bill 224 in its current form does little to alleviate the concerns of counties by moving the 2024 primary date forward when counties have said that is not advisable.”


Republican Leader Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives