HB 537 Primary Date Changes

This is a summarized version of the 2008 Florida Democratic primary situation.  For details on HB537, it's journey, and sponsors, please look through the links above.

The effort to establish an early primary in the state of Florida began in early 2006.  At that time House Republicans had published a set of ideas, entitled "100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future".  Idea number 37, titled "Move Florida’s Presidential primary up to a time that would highlight Florida’s concerns and issues and would ensure our national influence in choosing a Presidential candidate" and written by House Speaker Marco Rubio (R), set out the goal of moving the state's primary up to seven days after the New Hampshire primary. 

On January 23, 2007 David Rivera (R) filed HB 537, as a single page bill. The sole purpose of the original bill was to change the Florida state primary date.  Through the Florida legislative process, and additional ammendments, it eventually grew into an 80+ page document that covered a number of election issues. 

Keep in mind that the legislature of Florida consists of a overwhelming Republican majority:
House - Democrat(41), Republican(71)
Senate - Democrat(14), Republican(26)
Governor - Republican

HB537 proceeded through the legislative process, adding ammendments and pages along the way. It quickly grew from a single page document into an 80 page bill, leaving many Florida voters disgruntled by the legislative outcome --> Click Here.