Republicans Voters Reject Sharia Law at March Poll
March 5, 2026 – Republican primary voters across Texas delivered overwhelming support for a non-binding ballot proposition calling for the prohibition of Sharia law, according to unofficial results released following Tuesday’s primary election.
Sharia, meaning “the correct path” in Arabic, is the divine legal and moral framework derived from the Quran and Hadith (teachings of Prophet Muhammad) that governs all aspects of life for Muslims, including daily worship, marriage, finance, and moral behavior. It serves as a guide for ethical conduct and, in some contexts, is codified into state legal systems, particularly regarding personal status and criminal justice.
The proposal was one of 10 advisory questions placed on the Republican primary ballot by the Republican Party of Texas. Party leaders included the measures to gauge grassroots priorities ahead of the party’s 2026 state convention and the 2027 legislative session, when lawmakers could consider legislation related to the issues raised in the ballot questions.
The “dark side” of Sharia law, often highlighted by human rights critics, refers to strict, literalist interpretations that can lead to severe violations of human rights, particularly concerning women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Key issues include harsh corporal punishments (stoning, amputation), restrictions on women’s rights, and lack of due process.
Among the propositions, the measure concerning Sharia law received the highest level of support. Unofficial returns showed approximately 94.81 percent of Republican primary voters backed the proposal, making it the most widely supported of the advisory questions.
As of late 2025, Texas has legally banned the application of Sharia law and the creation of “Sharia compounds” or “cities” in the state, with Governor Greg Abbott signing legislation in September 2025 to prevent foreign or religious law from superseding Texas law. This action followed controversy over a proposed Muslim-centric development, EPIC City, which officials argued could lead to discriminatory practices.
Supporters of the measure say the vote reflects concerns among Republican voters about maintaining U.S. and Texas law as the governing legal framework within the state. Because the proposition was advisory in nature, the vote does not automatically create or change any law. However, party officials say the results help guide the legislative priorities that Republican leaders may pursue in future sessions of the Texas Legislature.
The issue drew additional statewide attention late last year when Gov. Greg Abbott took action related to organizations he said were connected to extremist groups. Abbott announced that the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood had been designated as foreign terrorist organizations under Texas law, a move that brought renewed focus to debates over foreign influence and religious law in the United States.
All ten propositions placed before Republican voters passed by wide margins, reflecting strong agreement among GOP primary participants on several policy priorities.
Party officials say the results will be reviewed as delegates prepare for discussions at the upcoming Republican Party of Texas convention, where grassroots activists and party leaders will determine which issues should be emphasized in future legislative efforts.
