Texas GOP Sues Secretary of State Over Open Primary System

The Texas Republican Party has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jane Nelson and the state of Texas, challenging the constitutionality of the state's open primary system that allows any registered voter to participate in the Republican primaries. The GOP argues that this system violates its First Amendment right to freedom of association by permitting voters who may oppose the party's principles to influence the selection of its candidates, alleging that crossover voting from Democrats and independents strategically affects primary outcomes. The party amended its bylaws in 2024 to restrict primary voting to registered Republicans and is seeking to have Texas close its primaries by 2028 to protect the party's integrity and conservative base. The lawsuit cites examples such as Rep. Dade Phelan’s 2024 primary runoff, which they claim was impacted by crossover voting, and asserts that the open primary system fosters political interference and undermines GOP nominees. The Secretary of State’s office has stated its commitment to fair and legal elections and is reviewing the lawsuit. Similar attempts to close open primaries in other states, such as Hawaii, have previously been rejected by courts, suggesting a challenging legal battle ahead for the Texas GOP.