Virginia GOP Will Require Primary Voters To Sign Party Loyalty Oath

[Galraedia]

Pledges have become something of a fad in the Republican primary this year. Except for Jon Huntsman, the GOP hopefuls have all signed pledges to radical right-wing groups like the FAMiLY Leader promising to ban pornography and only appoint anti-abortion cabinet members and judges, among other things.

As the New York Times editorial board put it, “It used to be that a sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution was the only promise required to become president.” But today, “each pledge they sign undermines the basic principle of democratic government built on compromise and negotiation.”

Now the Virginia GOP is extending the trend to voters, requiring them to sign a loyalty oath to the party before they are allowed to participate in the primary:

The state Republican Party will require voters to sign a loyalty oath in order to participate in the March 6 presidential primary.

Anyone who wants to vote must sign a form at the polling place pledging to support the eventual Republican nominee for president. Anyone who refuses to sign will be barred from voting in the primary.

During a brief meeting Wednesday at the state Capitol, the State Board of Elections voted 3-0 to approve three forms developed by the election board’s staff to implement the loyalty pledge requested by the state GOP.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/01/03/396323/virginia-gop-will-require-primary-voters-to-sign-party-loyalty-oath/

I believe Hitler also required a loyalty oath.

[FSogol]

1. The VA GOP has done that in the past also.

In the past, they were scared that Democrats will show up and vote.

[justiceischeap]

2. Can they do this?

Not that it would do any good, I mean, I could go in, sign a loyalty oath and then when it's time to vote, vote however I like. There's no way to enforce this but on top of all that, it doesn't seem like it's legal. It's kinda reminiscent of having to prove you can write to vote.

[11 Bravo]

7. It is legal, but as you say, completely unenforceable.

[Lint Head]

10. It is legal until they are sued and obviously lose the case or have the law struck down.

Which it will be.

[justiceischeap]

12. But who is going to sue? nt

[sufrommich]

3. A worthless pledge. What are they going to do,

follow them into the voting booth?

[limpyhobbler]

4. what happens if you sign the pledge but then change your mind? Virginia GOP is getting ready to step

in a pile of dog doo.

[arcane1]

5. There's no way this can be legally binding...

which makes it simply stupid.

[onenote]

6. Its a stupid idea that both parties have occasionally trotted out

particularly in open primary states. It seems to be mostly a southern thing -- I think South Carolina Democrats once had a loyalty oath requirement, as well as a few others.

[Akoto]

8. There's no way that can be legal.

How can you legally coerce someone into voting a certain way, or else they'll be forbidden to vote? The ability to cast your vote is a right we all have.

[KansDem]

9. To Hell with this! What about I.D.s??!!!

Are they required to show IDs?

I want to be sure that every Republican who votes in the primaries is a real 'Murikan!!!

[asjr]

11. Is it Or Else? Will they bring out the Cat O' Nine Tails and the Rack?

I can't believe this is legal.

[dembotoz]

13. i do hope they also require dna, stool, urine and blood samples

could lead to ground breaking research on inbreeding.

[MineralMan]

14. Interesting. In Minnesota, when you participate in our DFL caucuses,

you have to affirm that you support the DFL party before participating. It's part of the requirements for the caucuses, down to the precinct level.

It's not a primary election, but the requirement is still there. I don't know how it works in other states. In California, where I lived most of my adult life, primaries are done by party, so you had to be a registered Democrat to vote in partisan primary races. I know that's not the same thing, but...it's a declaration of party affiliation.

[waddirum]

15. The professional GOP are like little children playing in Fort Backyard

With their oaths and pledges and loyalties and gossip. They are not worthy of an adult position like President of the United States.

[The Genealogist]

16. Sounds like fascism

We demand loyalty to the party! What's next? Demanding everyone make certain gestures with their arms to publically indicate their loyalty?