Delegates gathered June 11 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston for the Republican Party of Texas state convention, where they will revisit Rule 46 on closed primaries as part of a broader agenda that includes platform updates and leadership elections. The three-day meeting runs through June 13 and comes as the party continues its multi-year effort to restrict primary voting to Republican-affiliated voters only. Texas holds no formal party registration, so the change would require voters to demonstrate affiliation through prior primary participation or an oath.
Rule 46 Sets the Framework
Delegates adopted Rule 46 in 2024 to require that only registered Republicans vote in GOP primaries. The rule aims to create a closed primary system in a state that currently allows any voter to participate in either party's primary. Affiliation currently occurs when a voter chooses the Republican primary ballot or signs an oath at a precinct convention, according to official RPT documents.
The 2024 adoption marked the start of a deliberate shift. Party leaders argued that open primaries dilute Republican decision-making and allow crossover voting that weakens the party's ability to select its own nominees. Rule 46 has since been amended in 2025 to refine the affiliation requirements while the underlying goal remains unchanged.
Lawsuit Seeks Court Enforcement
The Republican Party of Texas filed a federal lawsuit in 2025 to enforce closed primaries, claiming that open primaries violate the party's First Amendment rights of association. Court filings detail the argument that the current system forces the party to accept voters who may not share its principles. The case remains ongoing, which means the 2026 primaries will still operate under open rules.
Primary sources show the lawsuit challenges state election procedures that do not recognize formal party registration. A victory would require legislative or judicial changes to how voters affiliate with parties before casting ballots. Until then, the convention serves as the main venue for refining internal rules that could take effect later.
| Year | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rule 46 adopted | Implemented internally |
| 2025 | Rule amended; lawsuit filed | Ongoing litigation |
| 2026 | Convention review | Primaries remain open |
Broader Convention Agenda
Closed primaries represent one item among several priorities at the Houston meeting. Delegates will also adopt a party platform, set legislative priorities for the next session, and conduct leadership elections. Contemporary reporting notes the gathering follows a divisive U.S. Senate runoff and emphasizes unity across factions.
The convention format allows precinct-level delegates to propose and debate amendments to party bylaws. Any changes to Rule 46 would require a vote and could influence candidate recruitment and turnout strategies ahead of future cycles. The open primary system has historically produced higher participation numbers, a factor some delegates weigh against the desire for ideological purity.
Immediate Next Steps
Delegates will vote on rules proposals through June 13. Any approved changes to affiliation requirements would then await implementation or further legal resolution from the pending federal case. The 2026 primaries remain scheduled under current open rules regardless of convention outcomes.
