The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
It now appears that Virginia Republican voters won't be required to sign a much reviled loyalty oath to the eventual GOP presidential nominee before voting in the state's upcoming primary after all.
State election officials Tuesday told Virginia general registrars that the pledge paperwork should not be included in absentee ballots they mail to voters later this week, or given to those who vote by absentee ballot in-person.
Nor will it be administered at the polls March 6.
That advice was sent out in response to a request from the Virginia GOP to rescind its initial plans for a loyalty oath, explained State Board of Elections deputy secretary Justin Riemer.
Last month, state election officials gave Virginia Republicans permission to hold what amounts to a closed presidential primary when it approved the party's use of an oath.
That decision elicited swift criticism, prompting party chairman Pat Mullins to call a Jan. 21 meeting of the state GOP's central committee to revisit the issue.
While the oath was unpopular, Mullins took to Facebook to explain that the broader issue beyond the oath question is the need for "party registration in Virginia" to prevent Democrats from meddling in Republican contests.
To that end, several Republican bills have been submitted this year to allow voters to register their political affiliation. Those measures, if approved, would create a mechanism for future closed primaries.
Gov. Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling were among the Republicans who objected to the loyalty oath. Both have expressed support for allowing voters to register their political persuasion.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Will the Republicans be
Will the Republicans be holding a primary vote for the senate. If so, I plan to vote for anti-abortion radical Bob Marshall.
Don't you think it dishonest to vote in the other parties
primary election when you have no intention at all to vote for them in the general?
I suppose they don't require any courses in ethics at NSU.
Many of us do not
I have voted & will continue to vote in every election I'm eligible to vote, which includes other party primaries. It's my constitutional right and I have taken it seriously for 32 years. When I vote in another party's primary, I pull the lever for the candidate I think can lead our country in the event my party nominee falters.
I do not game the system like Limbaugh & others advocated 4 years ago. Chickens came home to roost for them, didn't it? So folks, don't play games with our elections.
So no, dishonesty does not apply to voting in someone else' primary, but it does apply to the person's intent. Just like, what was your intent with the ethics & NSU comment?
Good
The whole thing was asinine in the first place.
I can't believe it, I
I can't believe it, I actually agree with you. This time.
Republicans need pledges and oaths.......
The Kotch brothers, Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Rielly, Beck and every ersatz televangelist in America knows that it prevents independant thought and opens wallets.
Wave a flag, brandish a cross, hold up a pledge or an oath and a Republican will follow you anywhere.
"Other than telling us how to live, think, marry, pray, vote, invest, educate our children and what we can and can't do with our bodie's Republicans have done a fine job of getting government out of our personal lives..”
Governor do as I say, not....
Dec 24, 2011 - Governor McDonnell - It would be unfair to change the election rules mid-process to allow a Romney alternative.
Jan 5, 2012 - Governor McDonnell - It is necessary to change the election rules mid-process to eliminate the oath.
An obvious agenda. A dishonest man.
And then
"Gov. Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling were among the Republicans who objected to the loyalty oath. Both have expressed support for allowing voters to register their political persuasion."
From that, it's only a small step from ALLOWING to REQUIRING.
Whats with republicans using deciet to circumvent laws.
The loyalty oath was an attempt to circumvent election laws mandating an open primary. If the republicans dont like the law, change the law. As for voting in the other party's primary that was first advocate by , I hope I am spelling this right, Rush Limburger in the 08 election when he tolkd republicans to go vote for Obama in the Democratic primary because he though Obama would be easier to beat. So realize when you are castigating cross pary voting you are castigating Limburger.
it sounds so communist
kind of pre WWII Germany during the rise of "you know who". "Loyalty Oath" this dosn't sound right being used in our political process. It sounds "un-America". The GOP should not let the election of President Obama drive them to these extremes; overreaching, un-American type actions, taking over city and state elected oficials in Michigan. Look GOP; it's gonna be alright; just calm-down....calm-down......calm down. GEEZ!