A group of convention delegates in Arkansas has filed a lawsuit against state party officials over a proposal to make the GOP primaries open only to registered Republicans. The delegates argue that the party’s executive committee wrongly blocked their proposal, which was initially approved at the state Republican Party convention. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks to close the state’s primary election to non-Republicans.
The lawsuit names the state GOP and Secretary of State John Thurston as defendants and asks a federal judge to intervene in the matter. State Party Executive Director Seth Mays has vowed to defend the party’s rules, while Thurston’s office is reviewing the lawsuit but has refrained from commenting at this time.
Arkansas voters are not required to choose a party when they register, leading to a significant number of unaffiliated voters. The lawsuit highlights a growing divide within the Republican Party in Arkansas over the issue of primary election access. With the 2022 primaries on the horizon, the outcome of this legal battle could have a significant impact on the state’s political landscape.
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