During a Tuesday appearance on "Rightside Media," Alabama Republican Party chairman Scott Stadthagen said legislation closing the state's primary elections will "be on the agenda" next session.
The chairman's latest remarks on the topic follow state Democrat Party vice chairman Tabitha Isner's public call for liberal voters to participate in Republican primary elections.
"I absolutely love that she's showcasing their playbook to us," Stadthagen stated. "That just gives me ammunition when we gavel back in for next session..."
Stadthagen believes Alabama's next presumptive governor will address the urgent need to close state primaries.
"We talked to Coach Tuberville's team about when we were trying to pass closed primaries. They were very much in favor of it, agreed with it, and I think that's going to be on the agenda next session," he continued. "At the end of the day, we have to keep Democrats out of our business. They have no business being in our business at all."
"The more she says, the more I love, because I'm taking notes," added Stadthagen.
The Rightside: Trump to Make Critical Senate Announcement? + Scott Stadthagen Joins Us! - 7-14-26 https://t.co/2ipB9r0Yk1
— Rightside Media (@Rightside_Media) July 14, 2026
State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity) introduced legislation last session to close primary elections.
RELATED: Closed primary bill dies in Senate on last day of 2026 session
Yarbrough's bill required voters to register with a political party to vote the party's ballot in a primary election or a primary runoff. It would've imposed a 60-day blackout period before a primary election, during which voters could not redeclare party affiliation. The bill passed the House and a Senate committee, but later died in the Senate.
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