This morning, Gingrich’s campaign released this response:
Richmond, VA – Newt 2012 released the following statement from Campaign Director Michael Krull regarding ballot qualification in Virginia.
“Only a failed system excludes four out of the six major candidates seeking access to the ballot. Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading candidates. We will work with the Republican Party of Virginia to pursue an aggressive write-in campaign to make sure that all the voters of Virginia are able to vote for the candidate of their choice.”
That darn "failed system"!
UPDATE: And… no write-in options, either! Doug Mataconis and Ed Morrissey observe the relevant Virginia law:
At all elections except primary elections it shall be lawful for any voter to vote for any person other than the listed candidates for the office by writing or hand printing the person’s name on the official ballot.
The 2008 Virginia GOP presidential primary counted no write-in votes.
Yes,
EVERYONE in Virginia should now vote for Ron Paul to deny Romney the delegates.
“Apparently, the lack of addresses cost both Gingrich and Perry. “
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If just addressses, the omitted candidates could be succesful with a Court challenge. Courts generally rule that the law doesn’t “elevate form over substance”. Beyond that, they usually rule in favor of voter participation. If the petition omissions are purely technical (e.g. no addresses)– the omitted candidates should go to Court as a class- and request relief that they be allowed to amend the petitions to include the addresses. (Don’t think one can add names at this point).
All omitted candidates must join- can’t be just one. That will leave Romney and the State GOP to argue against inclusion– not a great argument when likely 70% of the GOP voters favor other candidates.
1. Vote for the NOT MITT
2. Write In campaign. If the majority of the voters write in and coalesce around a candidate who gets more votes than Mitt and Paul, a legal challenge might be able to argue disenfranchisement of the majority trumps GOP rules.
Both options suck.
UPDATE: And… no write-in options, either! Doug Mataconis and Ed Morrissey observe the relevant Virginia law:
At all elections except primary elections it shall be lawful for any voter to vote for any person other than the listed candidates for the office by writing or hand printing the person’s name on the official ballot. “
I find wiggle room here. The law does NOT state that write ins are NOT permitted for primaries. It states that write ins have to be accepted for all elections, but then provides that the primary can make an exception-not that it HAS to make an exception.
Don’t know if I explained that very well, but I hope you get my drift.LOL.