Alabama Senate Hears Bill on Party-Affiliated Primaries

0:00Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee has a big hearing set for Tuesday on a bill to shake up primary elections. House Bill 541, sponsored by Representative Ernie Yarbrough from Trinity, would make voters register with a party to cast ballots in that. Parties primary or runoff. It already cleared the House with a 63-35 vote. The change wouldn't hit until January 1, 2027, skipping the 2026 elections. That gives folks time to adjust if it becomes law. Right now, Alabama runs open primaries, meaning independence or others can jump in, but you're locked into just one party's runoff if you pick there. Primary. This bill flips that by demanding party affiliation up front, with a 60-day freeze before primaries where you can't switch. The hearing kicks off at 11 a.m. at the State House, and with only three days left in the legislative session, things could move fast. We'll see if the Senate bites or if open primaries stick around.

1:01Either way, it's a key shift for voter choice down the line. From your city, powered by AI, this is Birmingham News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.