NASHVILLE (AP) – A state Republican Party panel assigned to study a proposal to require party registration to vote in Tennessee primaries is taking more time to consider the idea.

Committee member Mark Winslow, a former executive director of the party, introduced the proposal in December to keep Democrats from voting in Republican primaries and county party organization sessions.

The party's issues committee was given 60 days to study the proposal, but spokesman Adam Nickas said Tuesday that members of the panel wanted to meet once more on April 16 before making a recommendation to the full executive committee.

Tennessee voters aren't registered by party, and voters often participate in different primaries depending on campaign developments.

Any change in voting laws would have to be approved by the General Assembly.

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