Virginia GOP to Require "Loyalty Oath" To Vote in the Primary;
UPDATE: Loyalty Oath is Illegal?

Ugly.

Anyone who wants to vote must sign a form at the polling place pledging to support the eventual Republican nominee for president. Anyone who refuses to sign the pledge will be barred from voting.

During a brief meeting Wednesday at the state Capitol, the State Board of Elections voted 3-0 to approve three forms developed by the election board’s staff to implement the loyalty pledge requested by the state GOP.

The board also held a drawing that determined Texas Rep. Ron Paul will appear first on the primary ballot, followed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the only other candidate who qualified for the ballot.

It's designed to weed out spoilers from the Democrats, who won't be having a primary, and probably also from among the Ronulans. But do they really think that folks that would vote simply to upset the election are going to abide by a loyalty pledge?

And, on the other hand, aren't they more likely to weed out folks who do take oaths seriously and who cannot commit to supporting all of the possible GOP candidates? I know I can't take that oath in good conscience because there is no circumstance under which I will support Ron Paul for president.

Comments poll: Would you take that oath?

Update: This was too good not to promote up to the main post:

83 Here's how we're going to enforce this:

If you say, "I swear I'll vote for any Republican in the general election" 15,000 times, we'll just take your word for it.

If you say it between 10,000 and 14,999 we're going to need to verify your vote in some fashion.

Posted by: The Virginia GOP at December 29, 2011 12:55 PM

Stupid Party, your table is ready.

The Oh-It-Gets-Worse Update: The loyalty oath requirement is probably illegal.

State election law requires that primary election requirements, like, e.g., a loyalty oath, be approved by the State Board of Elections at least 90 days before the primary. The State Board of Elections approved this change only yesterday. Virginia's election is on Super Tuesday, March 6, which is only 68 days away.

On the one hand, great, I can plan to vote that day. On the other hand: goshdamn these state parties are filled with complete idiots.

Thanks to Slu for the link.

UPDATE: Loyalty Oath is Illegal?&bodytext=Ugly. Anyone who wants to vote must sign a form at the polling place pledging to support the eventual Republican nominee for president. Anyone who refuses to sign the pledge will be barred from voting. During a brief meeting Wednesday...&topic=world_news"> posted by Gabriel Malor at 12:36 PM

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