The Bedford GOP has tried imposing the “loyalty oath” (RPV’s Statement of Qualification) on the June 9th primary… without much effect according to the News and Advance:
Last week, Bedford County Republican Committee Chairman Nate Boyer inquired with Gunter about whether the committee could require the pledge, even though absentee voting already had begun. Virginia does not have party registration, so primaries are open to all registered voters in a given district.
Gunter, who said the inquiry was not an official application, then contacted the Department of Elections to interpret the law out of concern those voters would be held to different standards than people who already have voted absentee.
“Given that we are two and a half weeks from a primary and absentee voting began 45 days prior to the election, it is too late to implement such a pledge requirement for the June 9th primary election,” Cortes’ email said.
So it doesn’t quite say that it’s not possible… just not timely.
Still, small openings in the armor create problems down the road. The battle here is between the right of free association in the 4A vs. the Civil Rights Voting Act and a long train of SCOTUS rulings precluding barriers to participation in nomination contests.
Notable.
