Primary elections are not compulsory. A political party may, by its state executive committee, elect whether it will come under the primary election law. All political parties are presumed to have accepted and come under the provisions of the primary election law, but any political party may signify its election not to accept and come under the primary election law by filing with the Secretary of State, at least 60 days before the date herein fixed for the holding of any general primary election, a statement of the action of its state executive committee, certified by its chair and secretary, which statement shall contain a copy of the resolution or motion adopted declining to accept and come under the primary election law. If a political party declines to accept and come under the primary election law, it shall not change its action and accept and come under the primary election law until after the next general election held thereafter. The governing body of a political party may determine from time to time what party officers shall be elected in the primary; provided, that candidates for all party offices shall be elected under the provisions of this chapter unless the method of their election is otherwise directed by the governing body of the party involved.
Structure Code of Alabama
Chapter 13 - Primary Elections.
Article 2 - Political Parties.
Section 17-13-40 - "Political Party" Defined.
Section 17-13-41 - Determination of Total Vote of Political Party.
Section 17-13-42 - Political Parties May Elect Whether to Participate in Primary Elections.
Section 17-13-43 - Selection of Delegates to National Conventions by Political Parties.
Section 17-13-44 - Party Committees for State and Political Subdivisions.
Section 17-13-45 - Provision for Election of Members of State Executive Committees.
Section 17-13-46 - Notice by Governing Body of Political Party of Desire to Enter Primary.
Section 17-13-47 - Assessments and Other Qualifications for Candidates for Nomination.
Section 17-13-48 - Selection and Appointment of Officers to Conduct Elections.
Section 17-13-49 - State and Other Conventions.
Section 17-13-50 - Party Meetings to Nominate Candidates, Select Delegates, Party Officers, Etc.
Section 17-13-51 - Applicability of Sections 17-13-50 and 17-17-50.
Section 17-13-52 - Certificate of Nomination by Convention, Mass Meeting, Etc.