Supporters believe each party should choose its own candidates, while opponents argue the bill disenfranchises voters.
By Jacob Holmes
Recently, lawmakers held the first public hearing on a bill that would restrict Alabama primaries to registered members of the corresponding party.
The bill, HB501 by Representative Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, is one of the top priorities of new ALGOP chairman Scott Stadthagen, and it has been gaining steam since gaining the endorsement of U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville and Alabama Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter.
“Republicans across Alabama deserve a system that protects the integrity of our party and ensures that our nominees represent Republican voters,” Stadthagen said. “Passing party registration is an important step in strengthening our party and ensuring Republicans choose Republican candidates.”
The bill’s public hearing is its first appearance of the legislative session, with 10 people speaking in favor of the bill and four people against.
The various public speakers in support of the bill all reemphasized the same point: the purpose of a party’s primary is for the members of that party to choose the candidate to represent that party. Allowing individuals who do not identify as Republicans to vote in the primary dilutes that process, they argued.
“Imagine joining a team, working hard for a fit, and then discovering that people from the opposing team get to help choose your candidate,” said ALGOP secretary Carol Jahns. “That might sound unfair, but that’s exactly what’s happening in our open primaries.”
Alabama would not be the first state to close its primaries; 32 states do the same.
Opponents of the bill said the bill could disenfranchise voters who want to remain unaffiliated or change their minds within certain timeframes created by the bill.
Representative Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, pointed out that the bill’s prohibition on switching party registration within a 60-day window of the primaries would suppress the vote of someone who had a legitimate change of heart within that time frame and wanted to vote for a different candidate than expected running on the opposing ticket.
“That’s why people cannot stand the dual party system,” England said. “Your party affiliation has nothing to do with who you vote for—at least it shouldn’t. For us to try and pass a law to dictate to you that you can’t change your mind within 60 days because of party affiliation is just outrageous.”
The Association of County Commissions of Alabama came out against the bill during the hearing, with ACCA president Sonny Brasfield telling the committee that the counties have no stake in how parties choose their candidates, but also have no interest in administering closed primaries using taxpayer funding. The counties’ stance against administering closed primaries has been in place for nearly a decade.
“We encourage you to make the bill permissive; let the parties make their decision if they want to close the primaries,” Brasfield said. “Let the parties administer the primary, let them defend the primary, let them pay for the primary, let them try to hire retired schoolteachers and other persons in Alabama who will come work on the frontlines who will be the poll workers who have to tell people they can’t vote.”
The bill would not impact the upcoming primary elections in May, as the state does not even have party registration available now, much less closed primaries. The bill would allow party registration beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, if the bill passes as is.
Jacob Holmes is a reporter. You can reach him at jholmes@alreporter.com