(1) In years in which a president of the United States is to be nominated and elected, a presidential primary shall be held at which voters may express their choice of candidate for nomination by a political party for president. The presidential primary shall be held on the second Tuesday in March in each presidential election year.
(2) Participation in a presidential primary by a political party shall be optional, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed as mandating a party’s participation in a presidential primary. Any party that intends to participate in a presidential primary shall notify the secretary of state’s office no later than the last Tuesday in the November prior to the presidential primary.