SB649 Summary

• Repeals Act 545 of 2019 and replaces it with provisions establishing alternating May and March preferential primary elections in even-numbered years.

• School district board members' terms begin July 1 for districts holding elections during preferential primary elections (May in even years, third Tuesday in May in odd years), or January 1 for districts holding elections during general elections (even years) or November elections (odd years).

• Adjusts primary election dates and deadlines: preferential primary elections held Tuesday 4 weeks before general primary in June (Governor years) or first Tuesday after first Monday in March (presidential years); certification deadlines are 75 days before May elections and 92 days before March elections.

• Modifies General Assembly fiscal session timing to second Monday in February (for May primary election years) or second Wednesday in April (for March primary election years), with corresponding changes to bill prefiling deadlines and budget forecast submission dates.

• Declares an emergency to take effect immediately to protect election integrity by ensuring clear deadlines for the upcoming March preferential primary election and judicial election.