Michigan's primary election date would change under bipartisan proposal Lansing — A bipartisan proposal that would shift Michigan's primary election from August to June with potential reverberating political implications will at least get a committee hearing in the state Senate. The idea is backed by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat. This week, state Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, the former GOP secretary of state, said the proposal will be debated before her Senate Elections Committee. "I am not guaranteeing a vote," Johnson cautioned. A four-bill package to institute the change debuted in the Michigan Legislature Thursday with support from Senate President Pro Tem Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, and Sen. Paul Wojno, D-Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Elections Committee.