....so instead we’ll fill it with Jeb and other reliable republicans.
RICHMOND, Va (WVIR) - Virginia voters interested in casting a ballot in the Republican presidential primary will have to show their loyalty to the GOP.
In the commonwealth voters do not register by a political party, but in order to take part in the March 1 Republican presidential primary voters will have to sign an oath saying they are a Republican before casting a ballot.
On Wednesday, the Virginia State Board of Elections gave the requirement the go-ahead.
"It's not a specific pledge, and, in fact, the way that we designed this statement was to be as inclusive as possible," said Republican Party of Virginia Executive Director John Findlay.
They say under Virginia law the parties can include such requirement, but questions remain about how this will be carried out.
Several election volunteers say the statement will create long lines.
"As an election officer, this will be a nightmare to implement," said Olga Hernandez, of the League of Women Voters.
One state official talked about how burdensome the situation was.
"If they're given something that's between them and the ballot, they get angry," said Lawrence Haake, of the Chesterfield County General Registrar.
Another ongoing discussion will be who has access to the signatures after the primary. For now, officials say they think the forms will be sealed. However the Republican Party wants access to them.
"To be straightforward, yeah, we do want to data mine it, if at all possible," said Findlay.
The Virginia Democratic Party will not be following suit.