The ALGOP added support for a closed primary system to its party platform Saturday as the Alabama Republican Party State Executive Committee gathered for its 2026 Summer Meeting in Montgomery.
Committee members overwhelmingly approved adding the following statement to the platform:
“We support legislation restricting members of other political parties from voting in the Republican primary.”
Alabama does not register voters by political party. Voters may choose which party’s ballot to cast in a primary, though state law requires anyone who participates in a primary to vote in the same party’s runoff.
The platform addition builds on a resolution the committee adopted at its March winter meeting supporting a voter-registration-based closed Republican primary and urging the Alabama Legislature to authorize political parties to limit their primaries to registered members.
The State Executive Committee also adopted six resolutions during Saturday’s meeting.
One calls on Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche to reverse the Biden administration’s mail-order abortion drug policy and restore requirements that the drugs be dispensed in person.
Another encourages legislation prohibiting candidates from directing campaign contributions to nonprofit organizations controlled by the candidate or an immediate family member. The resolution also calls for greater transparency in campaign finance.
Additional resolutions supported laws protecting women’s and girls’ sports, urged the Legislature to classify sexual activity between a school employee and student as a crime involving moral turpitude, and called for stronger penalties for school employees convicted of sexual misconduct involving students.
The committee also approved a resolution honoring former ALGOP Chairman John Wahl for his leadership and contributions to the state party.
“Our Party leaves Montgomery energized, united, and ready for the work ahead,” ALGOP Chairman Scott Stadthagen said. “Republicans across Alabama are focused on winning on August 11 and carrying that momentum into the November 3 General Election.”
“The decisions made by our SEC this weekend reflect our continued commitment to conservative principles, election integrity, and building an even stronger Republican Party,” he added.
The summer meeting followed the party’s America 250 Celebration and Summer Dinner on Friday night, which the ALGOP said drew more than 1,200 attendees.
The nearly 500-member committee represents every Alabama county and congressional district. Its next meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2027, in Birmingham. The party’s official calendar confirms Saturday’s meeting was held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
