(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a presidential primary election for major political parties shall be conducted on the fourth Tuesday in April in the calendar year of a presidential election.
(b) The requirements of this subchapter shall not require a presidential primary election for a political party in any year in which such a primary election would otherwise be required under the provisions of this subchapter, if the chairperson of the political party notifies the State Election Commissioner in writing that such political party elects not to be governed by the provisions of this subchapter prior to the close of business on the earlier of the first business day in the year in which a President of the United States is to be elected or 120 days before the day of the presidential primary.