Committee advances bill to require party registration before primaries after public testimony

Senator Lowe presented SB777, a proposal to institute party registration in Tennessee and to require voters to declare or change party affiliation at least 30 days before a primary. The sponsor said the measure aims to reduce "primary manipulation" and provide clearer disclosure of party preference.

Shannon Rasmussen, an Army veteran representing Veterans for All Voters and Open Primaries, testified against the bill, warning it "would close Tennessee's primary elections to independent voters" and reduce participation. "SB 7 77 would close Tennessee's primary elections to independent voters, handing more power to political parties at the expense of the public," Rasmussen told the committee, noting the effect on veterans and unaffiliated voters.

Elections Coordinator Mark Goins explained current poll‑book language and enforcement, including that existing forms ask voters to affirm party affiliation for primary ballots and that intentional falsification can be criminally prosecutable. Committee members raised constitutional and practical concerns about parties' associational rights and the potential for litigation; the committee ultimately voted 6–3 to pass the bill to the calendar with the amendment that changes the effective date noted in discussion.