MA Presidential Primary Moves Up

Massachusetts voters will get a chance to cast presidential primary ballots a month earlier than usual.

Governor Patrick yesterday signed a bill moving the state's primary date from March 4th to February 5th.

Massachusetts joins 22 other states holding primaries on the first Tuesday in February. Supporters of the move say it will give the state more clout in the nominating process because the race will be all but decided by March.

Some political observers say the switch could potentially hurt former Governor Mitt Romney's Republican presidential campaign.

Changing the Massachusetts primary to the same day that states like New York, California and Missouri will be voting could pose a challenge to Romney, who may have to expend resources in Massachusetts to avoid an embarrassing loss in his home state.