N.Y. Moves Primary Ahead of California's

ALBANY, N.Y. — In a move designed to give New York more clout in presidential politics, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo and legislative leaders agreed Thursday to shift the state's primary to early March.

The decision comes after California moved its primary from early June to the fourth Tuesday in March. That would have put California before New York's traditional first Tuesday in April date.

"We will be shifting the primary to the first Tuesday in March," press secretary Anne Crowley said. But since a Jewish holiday falls on the first Tuesday in March in 1996, the primary will be held on the first Thursday that year, she said.

The presidential primary change is expected to be approved by both houses of the state Legislature.