Virginia SENATE BILL 62: Allows Party to Close Primary

[FreeMind&Market]

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB62
[h=4]SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:[/h]Primary elections; voter registration by political party. Adds party affiliation to the information that an applicant is asked to provide when registering to vote. The applicant may indicate that he is an independent. Voters registered prior to January 1, 2013, will be designated as independent unless they provide a political party designation in writing to the general registrar. Voters may change their party affiliation or independent status by written notice at any time before the registration records are closed prior to an election. The state party chairman of each political party must notify the State Board of Elections by January 31 of each year of the party rules governing who may participate in the party primary.

 

[Lois]

GOP Opts for Closed Primary; Could Put Ron Paul at Disadvantage

http://www.newsplex.com/politics/headlines/136328528.html

Video -

http://www.newsplex.com/video?clipID=6588862&autoStart=true&contentID=136328528

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So in Virginia, we register as an Independent, but this is a Closed Primary. I don't quite understand it and why are some relating the Oath to the Closed Primary? Aren't they two separate things. If we're registered as an Independent, how can they have a Closed Primary if we're not registered as either Republican or Democrat?

So because I'm registered as an Independent, do I have to go and change my registration to Republican to vote in the primary?

Sorry if I'm dense.

 

[TheDriver]

Virginia is starting to look silly this election.

 

[RonPaul101.com]

I am confused, this all apeears to be in effect for 2013, not this year. Even the part that states, "By January 31 of each year, the state party chairman of each political party shall file written notice with the State Board applicable to the primaries to be conducted by the party from April 1 of that year and for the following 12 months." would not include this years election on March 6th, 2012 because it is not after 4/1/2012.

So just wondering, if everyone starts out now as Independent (until they change it) does that mean its still an open primary? Can;t someone just designate their party affiliation at the polls if they are required to?

 

[RonPaul101.com]

Okay, I reread the law. This election folks are still Independent, this "Pledge" is being used to discourage the "everyone can vote in Virginia" concept and keep true Independent voter turnout to a minimum; making it look more like a closed primary, when in fact an Independent Voter (essentially all VA voters) can still vote and sign the unenforecable pledge.

Anyone feel free to correct me if I wrong.

 

[Emptyeternity]

BUMP for clarification!

 

[FreeMind&Market]

Two separate issues here.

That bill won't go into affect this year, if it even is passed.

The Mar 6th primary is open, but they are currently asking primary voters to sign a pledge to vote republican in the general. Signing the pledge does not make the primary closed. The pledge is not legally enforceable and even the governor has asked the party to drop it. There is no way they can monitor who you vote for in the general. Just go to the poll on Mar 6th, sign the stupid pledge and vote RP!

 

[CJLauderdale4]

So because I'm registered as an Independent, do I have to go and change my registration to Republican to vote in the primary?

Sorry if I'm dense. [/B]

I was registered as NPA = No Party Affiliation when I lived in Florida for its closed primary in 2008. You get a ballot of only local initiatives. You WILL NOT be allowed to vote in any party's preference vote.

Feeling disenfranchised yet??

 

[Mark37snj]

The establishement GOP should be carefull in trying to rig primaries to favor the establisments GOP "Annointed ONE". It may very well be the spark thats launches a full fledge max effort to finally establish a permanent 3rd party. With the energy and devotion of Ron Paul supporters our efforts WILL meet with success.

 

[FreeMind&Market]

Just for emphasis:

The Virginia March 6th 2012 Primary is Open.

Yes, as it currently stands, you will have to sign a totally unenforceable oath. The Establishment will not be able to know who you vote for in the General. The oath has wiggle words like "you intend to vote republican in the general election." We all intend to vote Republican in the general, so long as Ron Paul wins. Don't let the oath intimate you. Remember, if Ron wins then you will be voting Republican in the general but Ron need your vote in the Primary first! Sign their stupid little oath and vote Ron Paul.

Now, if this proposed bill passes then the party could chose to close the primary in FUTURE elections, but not this one.

 

[georgiaboy]

Forget the third party talk.

We're taking back the Republican Party. Those big gov't types can go back over to the Democrats from whence they came.

 

[RonPaul101.com]

Just for emphasis:

The Virginia March 6th 2012 Primary is Open.

Yes, as it currently stands, you will have to sign a totally unenforceable oath. The Establishment will not be able to know who you vote for in the General. The oath has wiggle words like "you intend to vote republican in the general election." We all intend to vote Republican in the general, so long as Ron Paul wins. Don't let the oath intimate you. Remember, if Ron wins then you will be voting Republican in the general but Ron need your vote in the Primary first! Sign their stupid little oath and vote Ron Paul.

Now, if this proposed bill passes then the party could chose to close the primary in FUTURE elections, but not this one.

+Rep for excellent clarity.

 

[FreeMind&Market]

Republican Party of Virginia drops loyalty oath requirement

[url]http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/jan/17/republican-party-virginia-drops-loyalty-oath-requi-ar-1618171/



[/URL]

 

[nigh_eve]

Republican Party of Virginia
Chairman Mullins posted this on his personal Facebook page Tuesday (1-17-2012) night. (Reposted here: http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaGOP/posts/10150482612300942)

I'm very pleased to let you know that the Republican Party of Virginia has informed the State Board of Elections that the "loyalty oath" will be rescinded.

We informally polled the GOP State Central Committee over the past week and there was an overwhelming and near unanimous feeling that we should rescind the loyalty oath.

The Executive Committee of RPV voted last night unanimously to have me inform the State Board of Elections, that having heard from nearly all members of the GOP State Central Committee, that we would have an overwhelming majority vote to rescind the "loyalty oath".

We will formally approve this on Saturday.

(The rest of the post is here: http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaGOP/posts/10150482612300942)

 

[Spikender]

Republican Party of Virginia
Chairman Mullins posted this on his personal Facebook page Tuesday (1-17-2012) night. (Reposted here: http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaGOP/posts/10150482612300942)

I'm very pleased to let you know that the Republican Party of Virginia has informed the State Board of Elections that the "loyalty oath" will be rescinded.

We informally polled the GOP State Central Committee over the past week and there was an overwhelming and near unanimous feeling that we should rescind the loyalty oath.

The Executive Committee of RPV voted last night unanimously to have me inform the State Board of Elections, that having heard from nearly all members of the GOP State Central Committee, that we would have an overwhelming majority vote to rescind the "loyalty oath".

We will formally approve this on Saturday.

(The rest of the post is here: http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaGOP/posts/10150482612300942)

Good choice. The stupid oath was completely unenforceable anyway.