Topeka ? House members restored funding Thursday for the 2008 presidential primary, reversing a decision made earlier this session.

The primary would be on Saturday, Feb. 2, three days before several other states that have planned votes, including Iowa and New Hampshire, the traditional first states to begin the presidential primary season. It would cost the state $1.66 million for the election, the first in Kansas since 1992.

The money was added to a bill meant to wrap up spending issues for the year. Final action on the measure is expected today.

“It’s more important to be early than to follow party rules,” said Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita. “I think it’s important to let the people participate in the process.”

If Kansas doesn’t have the election, the Democratic and Republican parties will have caucuses at their own expense to allocate delegates to their national nominating conventions.