The Virginia Republican Party may end up dropping the required loyalty oath before the March 6 GOP primary. Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Gov. Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling have asked the party central committee to abandon the loyalty oath before the primary voting begins.
Here's a look at the history of the Virginia loyalty oath:
* The Virginia Republican Party passed a rule requiring all Republicans who vote in the March 6 presidential primary to sign a loyalty oath pledging to support whoever ultimately receives the GOP nomination for president of the United States. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that the State Board of Elections approved three written versions of the oath and supporting notifications at a Dec. 28 meeting in Richmond.
* Voters do not register with a political party in Virginia, which allows any resident to vote in the commonwealth's primary, not just members of the Republican party, ABC News reported. The oath reads "I, the undersigned, pledge that I intend to support the nominee of the Republican Party for president."
* Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch in December that he opposed the restriction placed on voters who are required to sign such an oath. Marshall opined that such an oath would preclude anyone who said they could not support a particular primary candidate from voting in the general election if their primary candidate did not win.
* The state central committee has scheduled a Jan. 21 meeting to discuss removing the loyalty oath, according to Associated Press. GOP State Chairman Pat Mullins said there is a need for party registration to be implemented in Virginia to avoid problems of Democrats voting in Republican primaries only to select a candidate they perceive to be weaker.
* The State Board of Elections qualified only former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul for the GOP primary ballot in March, Washington Post reported. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Gov. Rick Perry have filed suit in Virginia courts seeking ballot access.
Dan McGinnis is a freelance writer, published author and former newspaper publisher. He has been a candidate, campaign manager and press secretary for state and local political campaigns for more than 30 years.
