Senate Republicans hope to avoid a repeat of the recall election that ousted Sen. Russell Pearce in November.

The state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday passed Senate Bill 1449, which would require recall elections to consist of a party-specific primary and then, if necessary, a runoff in which all voters could participate, similar to regular partisan elections.

Currently, recall elections require only a single election in which all candidates and all voters can participate.

The single-election recall process tends to benefit more politically moderate candidates.

In the Pearce recall, the winner, Sen. Jerry Lewis, R-Mesa, garnered votes from Democrats, Republicans and independents.

SB 1449 could potentially exclude some voters, benefiting more conservative Republicans or more liberal Democrats.

For example, the Pearce recall consisted of two official candidates, both Republicans. Under the bill, a Republican primary would have chosen the winner. Because there were only two candidates, there would be no runoff, and Democrats and independents would never have voted.

Bill sponsor Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, said the bill is not just to help Republicans but would benefit any party facing a recall.

"It's just to revert back to the primary system as it would in any other election we have in the state," he said.

But Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, opposed the idea that some voters could be excluded from participating.

"Democrats and independents could sign the recall petition but could not vote," Gallardo said, also using the Pearce recall as an example.

Sen. Adam Driggs, R-Phoenix, also voted against the bill.

"We're all looking at District 18. I struggle to change laws based on one example," he said. "I don't understand the need."

The bill still needs a vote of the full Senate before going to the House.