Thursday, the Senate approved final passage of legislation that will move Alabama Primary elections and Presidential Primary elections to the second Tuesday of March during presidential election years.

“This legislation will help save Alabama taxpayer-dollars by having Alabama primary election on the same day as the Presidential Primary elections, and put the tax dollars of hard working Alabamians to better use,” said Senator Scott Beason (R – Jefferson). “Alabama will once again be at the forefront of national attention during the presidential election process as more national candidates will come to Alabama since we will be an early primary state,” Beason added.

Senate Majority leader Jabo Waggonner (R-Vestavia), said, “by moving the Alabama Primary election to the same day as the Presidential Primary election we will save the state of Alabama $3.9 million dollars.”

Once approved by Governor Bentley, the legislation will take immediate effect for the 2012 Presidential Primary elections and Alabama primary elections throughout the state. The bill, HB 425, was previously passed by the House of Representatives.

Senator Waggonner was first elected to the Senate in 1990 and elected as Majority Leader in 2010 and represents parts of Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

Senator Beason represents parts of Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair Counties. He was elected to the Senate in 2006 after serving two terms in the House of Representatives.