JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- The Missouri House and Senate both passed bills that will change the date of the 2012 presiential primaries, but each bill chooses a different date.
Currently, the 2012 primaries would be held on Feb. 7. The bill passed Thursday by the House moves the primary to March 6. The new date is in line with rules set by the national Democratic and Republican parties.
The Senate version of the bill puts Missouri's primary exactly one week after New Hampshire's, which has not yet been scheduled. New Hampshire has the first official primary in the country, while Iowa holds the country's first Caucus for the election.
The Senate also passed its bill Thursday to criticism that the parties may strip Missouri of delegates unless the primary is held in March.
Primaries have been in the news recently as some states have said they don't have enough money to hold primaries.
Lawmakers in six states introduced bills that would cancel or move their primaries to later in the year.
Some of the states wanted to move a stand-alone presidential primary to fit with the state-wide election primaries.
Alabama State Representative Steve Clouse introduced the bill in his state, noting it could save the state nearly $4 million.
California also introduced a bill to move their primary to June. That move could save them $100 million.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story)
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