Changing Oklahoma's election dates

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Policy makers in Oklahoma hope a change in the state's election timetable will mean good things. <br><br>Governor Henry recently signed two bills that move up election dates in

Monday, May 12th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Policy makers in Oklahoma hope a change in the state's election timetable will mean good things.

Governor Henry recently signed two bills that move up election dates in 2003 and 2004.

One bill changes the presidential primary from mid-March to the first Tuesday in February. That's only a week after the New Hampshire primary.

Backers expect the change will create more interest among presidential candidates.

The second bill says Oklahoma candidate have to file for office in 2004 the third week of June, instead of early July.

That means they'll have less time to campaign in primary races. The primary runoff will now be in late August, instead of the third week in September.