# Judge pauses Texas GOP's closed primary push

> A federal judge temporarily blocked Republicans' effort to restrict primary voting to registered party members, but expects them to succeed through the legislature.
- Title: Judge pauses Texas GOP's closed primary push | Shortify
- Summary: A federal judge temporarily blocked Republicans' effort to restrict primary voting to registered party members, but expects them to succeed through the…
- Keywords: texas, republican party of texas, primary elections, closed primaries, judge matthew kacsmaryk, texas legislature, voting access, first amendment, greg abbott, dade phelan, gary vandeever, news
- Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17466506/texas-republican-party-closed-primaries
- Author: Colleen DeGuzman, Natalia Contreras
- Published: 2026-09-19T01:11:30+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: texas, republican party of texas, primary elections, closed primaries, judge matthew kacsmaryk, texas legislature, voting access, first amendment, greg abbott, dade phelan, gary vandeever, news
## Judge halts GOP primary closure bid
A federal judge in Amarillo paused Texas Republicans' lawsuit to restrict primary voting to registered party members only. Currently, any Texas voter can vote in GOP primaries.
## Why Republicans want closed primaries
Republicans argue open primaries let opposing voters influence who their nominee is. Two moderate GOP state representatives won 2024 primaries by fewer than 800 votes, sparking claims they benefited from Democratic crossover voting.
## The crossover voting example
Houston City Council Member Joe Panzarella drew criticism after voting in the 2016 Republican primary despite being a Democrat. He called it a protest vote against Donald Trump.
## Judge expects legislature to act
Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk wrote he expects Texas Republicans to succeed in closing primaries during the next Legislative Session. He paused the lawsuit because lawmakers may soon amend the law.

> Prominent Texas politicians support similar legislative action.
## Abbott backs closed primaries
Gov. Greg Abbott made clear at the Texas Republican Convention in June that he wants only Republicans voting in Republican primaries. The push gained urgency after the 2024 moderate primary wins.
## New secretary of state supports open primaries
The previous secretary of state said changes required legislative action. Her successor, Robert Howden, filed a legal statement in August defending the state's open primary system.
## Key takeaway

Texas Republicans want to close primaries to party members only, and while a judge paused their lawsuit, he signaled the legislature will likely pass this change next year.