MS SB2646

Changes the presidential preference primary election date from the second Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday in March in presidential election years.

Moves the deadline for candidates to file petitions for the presidential preference primary ballot from January 15 to January 10 of the election year.

Adjusts the candidate assessment payment deadline from January 1 to January 10 in non-presidential primary years to align with the earlier filing deadlines.

Requires state political party executive committees to notify the Secretary of State by December 1 of the year preceding a presidential election if they intend to hold a presidential preference primary.

Conforms multiple related election code sections (23-15-1083, 23-15-1055, 23-15-299, and others) to align with the new primary election date and filing deadlines; takes effect July 1, 2017.