NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Monday, Tennessee lawmakers defeated a bill that would have required voters to officially join a political party to participate in future primary elections.
Currently, Tennessee operates as an open primary state. Voters choose a Republican, Democratic, or general ballot at the precinct without officially registering with a party. While voters are required to pledge allegiance to the party whose ballot they select, and warning signs about crossover voting are posted in precincts, there is no requirement to officially join a party to vote in its primary.
State Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County) introduced a bill in 2025 to make Tennessee a closed primary state. "In order to vote in that primary, you would have to be registered with that party," Todd said during debate. "Just like we don’t allow members off the street or from the Exchange Club to go over to the Rotary Club to elect their slate of officers each year, this is the same principle. It’s a private organization."
Todd began the effort last year, but the bill ran into strong headwinds in the Senate, when no one would second the bill to be debated. However, the same Senate committee passed the bill this year, putting the measure back in play.
Monday, the House Finance Subcommittee voted 6-6 on the measure, which means the bill doesn't advance. Four Republicans, Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis), Rep. Gary Hicks (R-Rogersville), Rep. Tim Hicks (R-Gray), and Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) voted with the two Democrats on the committee, Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) and Rep. Jesse Chism (D-Memphis) against the bill.
The measure is dead for the year. Lawmakers could always re-file and try the measure again next legislative session.
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