The Pennsylvania Senate voted unanimously last week to move up the state’s primary election to March beginning in 2024.

The change must be approved by the House, where some lawmakers contend there is little point in moving the primary from April to the third Tuesday in March.

We disagree.

Holding a primary election close to Super Tuesday would give the state a stronger voice when it comes to selecting each party’s presidential nominee.

Super Tuesday, where 14 states vote on their party’s presidential nominee, typically occurs in early to middle March.

“For many years, the selection of the presidential nominee has already been determined by the time Pennsylvania voters have gotten the opportunity to cast their ballot,” said state Sen. John Gordner, R-27th, the author of the bill. “My bill will allow our citizens to play a much larger role in determining the outcome of these critical elections.”

The state’s primary has been held on fourth Tuesday in April since 1937. This year, it falls on April 28.

Only 10 states hold primary elections later in the year than Pennsylvania.

The nation’s primary process began Monday when voters in Iowa held their caucuses.

By the end of March, events covering well over 50 percent of each party’s convention delegates will have taken place.

Butler County’s Bureau of Elections would welcome future presidential primary elections being switched to March.

“It may have more of an impact on the entire nation,” Shari Brewer, director of the bureau, said.

Brewer stressed that there are parts of the election process that will need to be tailored to the new date, including the petition and the appeals processes.

Brewer said changing the date would not confuse voters, and believes instead that it might encourage people by making the Keystone State’s primary more impactful.

She said it gives people the sense they are making a difference.

We hope the House works out its differences and concurs with the Senate that the primary should be moved up.

Pennsylvania has been a pivotal state in many of the past few presidential election.

Its voters should have a more prominent voice in selecting their party’s candidates for president.