Missouri Senate endorses moving up presidential primary

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Senate has endorsed legislation setting the state's 2012 presidential primary near the front of the pack -- potentially violating Republican and Democratic party rules at aimed preventing a crush of early primaries.

Under state law, Missouri holds presidential primaries the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February.

On Wednesday, the Senate approved an amendment setting Missouri's primary one week after New Hampshire's, traditionally the first in the nation.

New Hampshire hasn't yet scheduled its 2012 primary, but its law requires that the primary be held at least one week before that of any other state.

That means Missouri's primary would be held Feb. 18 at the latest.

The legislation needs another Senate vote before going to the House.