DAYTON, Ohio -- Ohio voters would go to the polls to cast their votes in the presidential primary in January rather than March, under a plan unveiled Friday.

It has the backing of Dayton state Sen. Tom Roberts.

Currently, the presidential primary is set for March 4.

Roberts and fellow Democrats Eric Kearney of Cincinnati and Shirley Smith of Cleveland want the legislature to move up the primary to Jan. 29.

In a written statement, Roberts said, “Ohioans want the presidential candidates from both parties to come to our state, listen to our voices, and propose real solutions to our most pressing needs.”

A bill to move the primary to January was introduced Friday by Kearney.

“I believe it is critical that Ohioans have a voice in who the presidential nominees are before it is a foregone conclusion. The current primary date is so late, Ohio voters, including our substantial minority communities, will be disenfranchised if the date is not changed,” Kearney said.

Thus far, at least 18 states have set Feb. 5 for presidential primaries or caucuses.

The Ohio Democratic Party supports the March 4 primary date.

"We are not looking to move up," said spokesman Randy Borntrager.

The Ohio GOP has taken no position on the primary date.

"We are going to see a lot of presidential candidates in the months when it matters, and that's the fall," said spokesman John McClelland. "I don't think it really matters when we have our primary."

Jim.otte@whiotv.com