Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Republicans in the House State & Local Government Committee killed a bill on Wednesday which would have required voters to select a party affiliation and helped secure closed Tennessee primary elections.
HB1159 by Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet-District 57) has seen quite the journey through the legislature, coming on and off notice several times as another similar bill has also been making its way through the committee process.
This bill would have required new and current voters to select a political party affiliation, with individuals failing to make a designation or choosing to do so being marked “Unaffiliated” and prevented from voting in a party primary election.
During the committee meeting, Rep. Lynn reiterated that the bill in no way dictates who may register to vote, doesn’t limit participation in general elections, does not lock voters into a party as they may change their designation within 30 days prior to an election, and creates no barriers to voting. “It simply adds a transparent administrative step for primary participation,” she said.
Committee Democrats expressed concern about the short window of time in which a voter could change their registration and called the bill “unnecessary”, claiming it creates “another hurdle in the voting process.”
Republican Rep. Tim Rudd commended Lynn on the bill, saying it was “much needed”, but his sentiments were not reflected by other committee Republicans as five of them joined all six committee Democrats in voting against the measure.
The vote was 11-11, and a tie vote means a bill fails. All 11 “Yes” votes came from Republicans while the 5 Republicans voting “No” were Reps. Michele Carringer, Rick Eldridge, Mary Littleton, Iris Rudder, and Dave Wright.
If just one of these Republicans had abstained from the vote or voted “Yes”, the bill would have advanced.
While the Senate companion bill, SB0831, is scheduled for the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday, March 31, it will likely be taken off notice or general subbed with the failure of HB1159.
However, the other party registration bill which has been perceived as the stronger piece of legislation, SB0777, is also set to be considered by the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday, March 31.
The House companion to SB0777, HB0886, made significant progress in the House last year, but cannot be considered by the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee until SB0777 passes its first committee.
To contact Senate committee members about this legislation before the meeting on Tuesday, use the information below:
Senate State and Local Government Committee– SB0777 set to be heard March 31
SB0777 Requires party affiliation for all current and new voters
Sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov; sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
6 Responses
Lordy these guys are slippery! We don’t continue to make it as easy as possible for Democrats to vote for the least conservative candidates in the Republican primaries when an overwhelming majority of Republicans would like that to stop for nothing.
For example, we all know that until we start beating the open primaries enthusiasts in Republican primaries things aren’t going to change, EVER, the current system is simply too cozy for the centrist/tepid conservative establishment. From the vote that defeated this legislation we find the following:
1. Mary Littleton isn’t running again.
2. The other 4 Republican “No” votes come from representatives who have no primary opposition in August.
3. John Crawford, who as chairman of the same committee had trouble hearing the voice vote of those wanting to close the primaries a few years ago, suddenly has become a closed primary enthusiast thanks to a primary challenge from Jessica Mills he faces in August.
Let’s keep at it conservatives. We are actually about to get a real honest-to-goodness conservative governor for the first time ever so can closed primaries be far behind?
Excellent comment. I agree.
The stinking RINO’s throwing a wrench in something that would have stopped party crossover voting in primaries. It seems that the Uniparty is alive and well in Tennessee. These 5 should be shamed everyday for failing the conservative base yet again.
What a shame! The uniparty is alive and well in Tennessee. We moved to Tennessee in 2018 and since then it has turn from red to purple. There are a few good Christian Constitutionalist conservatives left in Tennessee but not many. All the major cities are blue and soon the rest of the state will be too. Why wouldn’t any sane Republican Party want closed primaries. Short answer corruption. They are no better than the left. They throw enough cookies around to appease the sheep that follow them but they answer to their handlers. Big money and most people know who they are. Think special interests. Stop voting for establishment for example Marsh Blackburn, John Rose who like to rub elbows with Bill Lee. What a beauty he is. School vouchers? Taxpayer money for big corporations like Ford’s blue oval fiasco, Nissan stadium and many more. What do the taxpayers get in return for their investment? Nothing. If we really want to see change in Tennessee vote for a person like Monty Fritts. Who actually cares about Tennesseans. The sad part is most eligible voters don’t even take the time to properly vet the candidates. They just vote because of name recognition and that is really stupid. The worst group that doesn’t get out and vote are Christians and they wonder why there is so much moral decay in America. They just sit at home and do nothing because of that thing they tell themselves “separation of church and state.” That was a personal letter from Thomas Jefferson to a friend which was taken out of context. NOWHERE in the Constitution does it state “separation of church and state.” Just the opposite is true the “state is to stay out of the church.” That is fact. Do your research on the subject. Thats the problem nobody wants to take the time to find out the truth. I say these things because I am a Christian. It’s like the movie Groundhog Day, keep voting for the same establishment candidates and expecting a different result. Not gonna happen. Wake up people before we lose this country to the elite. Enough said!
Rev. 22:12 NIV
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
In God we trust not government or man.
Have a blessed day.
Well, one thing this is good for… at least this confirms which representative doesn’t give a damn about Republican voters and which one places felty to Republican leadership versus supporting their own citizens. And who to support and who to shun in the August election and future elections. Mitchel Carringer, Rick Eldridge, Mary Littleton, Iris Rudder and Dave Wright.
Chuck, you are correct!