In New York, an earlier primary is being planned for 2012 – “when” is still the issue.

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In 2012, New York voters will go to the polls for primaries before September, but it’s not clear when the new primaries will be.  The state must move the primary to comply with federal law, but concerns like allowing state legislators to complete priorities without campaign pressures make some reluctant to make the new primaries too early. Elections officials have proposed an end-of-June primary, giving them the best amount of time to handle petitions and create ballots in time to send them to soldiers and citizens overseas.

“We’re not just talking about changing the primary election,” said Jerry O. Eaton, Jefferson County Republican elections commissioner. “We’re talking about changing every section of election dates and updating election law, which is out of date.”

….New York secured a waiver from the federal Justice and Defense departments for the 2010 election, but five boroughs and eight counties were late in sending absentee ballots to out-of-country voters. As a result of the tardy ballots, the state, Justice Department and a federal District Court judge signed a consent order on Oct. 19, the court said it would ensure compliance with the new law in 2012.