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H.R. 3542 99th Congress House

Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to provide for regional primary elections and caucuses for selection of delegates to political party presidential nominating conventions and for Federal… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to provide for regional primary elections and caucuses for selection of delegates to political party presidential nominating conventions and for Federal funding of presidential primary elections.

Introduced: October 9, 1985 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Presidential electionsPresidential primariesVoting
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 8, 1986
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 20, 1986
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 22, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Elections.
Oct 9, 1985
Referred to House Committee on House Administration.
Oct 9, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 8, 1986

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 1985 - Declares that delegates to national conventions for the nomination of presidential and vice presidential candidates shall be selected by primary election or by caucus, as provided by State law.

Staggers the times of regional primary elections and caucuses beginning with the first Tuesday in February of a presidential election year and at the end of each of the next four-week intervals. Provides for two non-contiguous regions to conduct primaries or caucuses at the same time. Establishes ten regions comprised of entire States.

Authorizes appropriations for the costs of presidential primary elections.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3542: Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3542/
MLA
"H.R. 3542: Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3542/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3542, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3542/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3542: Regional Presidential Primary and Caucus Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3542/)
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