State lawmakers wanting to re-establish a single 2012 primary for Ohio are trying to reach a deal on a date.
Action on a bill calling for one primary next year was temporarily delayed by an Ohio House panel on Wednesday so lawmakers could meet behind closed doors to continue discussing the timing.
Under the bill, separate primaries set for March and June would be reunited on May 22. Candidates including presidential contenders would have until March 8 to file. Those who met a deadline last week would not have to re-file.
The GOP-controlled legislature voted in October to move the presidential and U.S. House primaries to June to allow more time to settle a congressional map dispute. Critics said the maneuver would cost more and confuse voters, and candidates balked.