Hey, Virginia: Gingrich Wants You to Write Him In

But there's one major problem...
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 24, 2011 1:19 PM CST
Hey, Virginia: Gingrich Wants You to Write Him In
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich speaks to supporters on December 23, 2011 in Columbia, South Carolina.   (Getty Images)

When it comes to Virginia, Newt Gingrich doesn't plan to go gentle into that good night. Following the Republican Party of Virginia's early morning announcement that the candidate did not have enough valid signatures to get on the primary ballot, Gingrich's camp said, via press release, that it would run an "aggressive" campaign urging a write-in effort in the state. "Voters deserve the right to vote for any top contender, especially leading candidates," read the release. Except Virginia law doesn't allow write-ins during the primaries.

The Los Angeles Times spoke with University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias, who explained that write-in ballots in primaries are specifically barred by Virginia Code section 24.2-529. Roll Call notes that Gingrich's campaign blamed "a failed system" for the ballot issue, but Tobais says that's not the case: The rules "are meant to insure broad-based support, especially in rural districts." (More ballots stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X