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Panel narrows change to county central committees to certified party officers
Summary
The committee advanced 26LSO185 to clarify county central committee composition, adding language that party officers included in central committees must be those certified and recorded by the Secretary of State; supporters said it prevents litigation, critics warned piecemeal Title 22 changes could reduce voter accountability.
The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee amended and sponsored 26LSO185 on Feb. 20, a short draft intended to clarify who may vote in county central committee proceedings.
The draft revises a line in Title 22 to say the county central committee consists of precinct committee men and women elected at regular primaries and "any other party officials provided by the bylaws of the party who have been certified and recorded by the Secretary of State under 22-4-120." Proponents argued the clarification reflects long-standing practice and would limit litigation over party-organizational votes; opponents said the change is piecemeal and urged a comprehensive Title 22 review.
Joey Curenti and Republican Party representatives urged the change to avoid recent court disputes in some counties. County officials and Y Vote said the statute should not be altered without a full review because it affects public election processes and accountability; Gail Simmons of Y Vote warned that party bylaw changes had in some counties allowed unelected insiders to vote in leadership elections, a practice courts found inconsistent with Title 22.
The committee adopted the Curenti amendment to reference Secretary of State certification and then voted to sponsor the bill as amended.
What’s next: the bill is sponsored by the committee with the specific certification language; broader revisions to Title 22 were raised as possible follow-ups but were not added to this draft.
