articleThe Brief The Texas Republican Party is suing the Texas Secretary of State to close the state's primary elections to only voters from the Republican party. The Texas Republican Party filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jane Nelson in an attempt to close the party's primary elections in the state to only registered Republicans. In contrast, only 10 states operate a closed primary where only members can vote in a party's primary. Moving to a closed primary format would require every registered voter in Texas to register a party with the secretary of state. Critics say that by not allowing independent voters to be a part of the primary process it effectively disenfranchises millions of Texas voters.