Legislation to move Arkansas' primary from May to March has failed to make it out of a Senate committee.
The bill failed in the Senate State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday. An identical House bill narrowly passed through the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee.
The effort would make Arkansas part of a planned regional nominating contest among southeastern states called the "SEC Primary."
Legislation that moved only the presidential primary stalled during this year's legislative session. The special session legislation would move all nominating contests and non-partisan judicial races.
Bill sponsor Sen. Gary Stubblefield, a Republican from Branch, said he will consider making a motion to pull the bill from the committee onto the Senate floor.
The House plans to vote on its version Wednesday.