Bill to close primaries, require voter registration by party in Tennessee advances
A bill requiring Tennessee voters to declare their party affiliation in order to vote in a primary election made its way through its first committee on Wednesday.
The legislation, HB 1273 and SB 1500, would force voters to choose between being registered as a Democrat, Republican, unaffiliated with a statewide party or other in order to cast a primary ballot.
If a voter chooses unaffiliated, they would not be able to vote in any primary elections.
Although Gov. Bill Lee and former Gov. Bill Haslam, both Republicans, have expressed opposition to the idea, the House Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee approved the measure.
Read more: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/20/tennessee-elections-bill-close-primaries-require-voter-registration-party-advances/2926847002/