Committee holds public hearing on bill to close primaries; vote set for March 17

A legislative committee held a public hearing on House Bill 541, the "Save Act," which would require voters to register with a party before participating in that party's primary and would bar party switching inside a 60-day blackout window before a primary and its corresponding general election. The committee chair said the hearing would be informational only and that a formal vote is scheduled for a specially called meeting on Tuesday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m.

Representative Yarro, who presented the bill, told the committee the measure is intended to give parties structural integrity so that nominees reflect party platforms. "The concept here is to close the primaries," he said, describing mechanics that would allow unaffiliated voters to request a party ballot the first time they participate but require an affirmative step (online or at the registrars) to change affiliation after that. He said LSA advised a 60-day blackout because county absentee and ballot lists must be finalized around day 55.

Supporters — including county party chairs and Republican state committee members — argued closed primaries protect parties from strategic crossover voting and preserve the meaning of party nominations. Alan Williams, a longtime proponent, told the committee: "It is for each individual party to pick their candidate." Carol Johnson, secretary of the Alabama Republican Party, said 32 states operate closed primaries and called the bill a means to prevent "strategic manipulation."

Opponents pressed the committee on practical and equity concerns. Sunny Brassfield of the Alabama Association of County Commissioners said counties administer and pay for elections and asked that any change be permissive or state-funded: "Let the parties make their decision if they want to close the primary and then let the parties administer the primary," she said. Representatives of the League of Women Voters and the Alabama Election Protection Coalition warned that the change could confuse or disenfranchise voters who arrive at the polls unaware of their registration status. "This will make it much more difficult and disenfranchise many, many voters," a League of Women Voters representative testified.

Several public commenters described primary turnout and poll-worker burdens. A poll worker testifying in support said many voters mistakenly believe they already have party registration and that closing primaries would reduce confusion at polling places. Opponents, including veteran Andrew Nubbie, said there is no evidence of systemic crossover abuse and that the bill would entrench two-party control and limit unaffiliated voters' access to primaries.

Committee members asked detailed procedural questions about same-day ballot requests, runoffs and how prior party choices would be tracked. The sponsor and staff repeatedly emphasized that the bill would not prevent anyone from voting in general elections; rather, it would change the process for participating in party primaries and require certain recordkeeping by the Secretary of State and county registrars.

The committee did not take a final vote on HB541 during the hearing. The chair reminded participants the committee will reconvene for a vote on March 17 at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned the meeting.