NC GOP may block independents from primaries

    RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina Republican Party leaders are meeting this weekend to decide if they want to continue allowing unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in GOP primaries.
    The state party’s executive committee is expected to debate a resolution asking the party to limit voters to registered Republicans only, starting in May’s primary. Unaffiliated voters have been allowed to participate in GOP primaries since 1988.
    Onslow County GOP Chairman Patrick Lamb says a closed primary would ensure more true conservative candidates are nominated.
    Party chairman Tom Fetzer says a closed primary would not bode well for Republicans who want to get a majority in the Legislature and re-elect U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Fetzer says winning is about building coalitions.
    Democrats have invited unaffiliated voters to participate in their primary since 1996.
   
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