A bill requiring Tennessee voters to declare their party affiliation in order to vote in a primary election made its way through its first committee on Wednesday.

In order to cast a primary ballot, House Bill 1273 and Senate Bill 1500 would require voters to choose between being registered as a Democrat, Republican, unaffiliated with a statewide party or other.

If a voter chooses unaffiliated, he or she would not be able to vote in any primary elections. The bill does not apply to general elections.

If passed, the legislation would take effect on July 1.