California's top elections official is reportedly looking to move the state's primary contest to an earlier date, arguing the state should not be an "afterthought."

Secretary of State Alex Padilla on Tuesday said he was in support of a bill that would push up California's presidential primary to take place third — after the contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

“We need to make California, and California issues, much more of a priority for all people seeking the presidency,’’ Padilla told Politico on Tuesday.

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“It’s going to be great for turnout. ... And it will make California much more relevant.”

The bill to move up California's presidential primary to the third slot — currently held by Nevada — was from state Sen. Ricardo Lara (D).

The bill, which would move the primary to the third Tuesday in March, is likely to become law, according to Politico. Currently, primaries take place in early June.

Lara and Padilla said in a joint statement the bill would combine the presidential primary with elections for statewide office and legislative races which would "help engage new voters from the top of the ticket down to legislative races."

Padilla said the date of the California primary has "gone back and forth" but said he thinks "it's time we have a permanent say in the presidential primary schedule."

"California is the largest, most diverse state in the nation with one of the largest economies in the world," Lara said in a statement. "Yet Californians' voices are silenced when it comes to choosing presidential nominees."

He added: "California is leading the nation on clean air, criminal justice reform, and expanding healthcare for all, and moving up our presidential primary will ensure our state’s voters are heard in the national debate.”