It’s been a significant week at the State Capitol – especially when it comes to election-related issues.

Lawmakers are looking to move up the state’s primary election in 2024 from its scheduled date of April 23rd because it conflicts with the Jewish holiday of Passover and so that Pennsylvania voters could have more of an impact on the outcome of choosing the nominees for president.

The House prefers moving the primary to April 2 while the Senate has already approved March 19 for a new primary date.

Either way, the state's 67 counties aren't thrilled with moving the primary up, because they say they need time to prepare for an election like nailing down polling places, making sure there's enough poll workers and getting mail-in ballots out.

Legislators also considered other election-related proposals like requiring voters to present identification when voting and allowing counties to pre-canvass or count mail-in ballots before election day.

Nothing was settled, but everyone admits time is running short to make election changes.

Also, the 2023-24 fiscal year state budget isn’t finished.

To bring us up-to-date on The Spark Friday was Stephen Caruso, the Capitol reporter for Spotlight PA.

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