SB 2491 Rhode Island Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- PRIMARIES FOR ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND FOR PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE

SB 2491 changes the date for selecting delegates to national political conventions and presidential preference primaries from the fourth Tuesday in April to the first Tuesday in March, starting in 2028. This affects voters in this state who participate in presidential primaries and the state election administration. The bill specifically amends the law to set the new date for 2028 and all subsequent presidential election years, while keeping the 2024 primary on April 2, 2024. The change takes effect upon passage and does not alter other primary procedures.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Jun 18, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jun 4, 2026

How they voted

350
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 36
Jun 4, 2026
D Democratic32
31 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican4
4 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
4
Committee
2
Jun 18, 2026
Signed into law
06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
06/11/2026 House passed in concurrence
lower
Jun 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
06/04/2026 Senate read and passed
upper
Jun 2, 2026
Legislature · Passed
06/02/2026 Committee recommends passage
legislature
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
02/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 6, 2026
Introduced
02/06/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors