BREAKING: Republican Party of Virginia rescinds ‘oath’ requirement

[ABX]

Almost a month before their primary, Virginia switches to an open primary State allowing Democrats and others to vote in their primary.

The party's governing body has voted by acclamation to no longer require a Statement of Affiliation to vote in the March 1 GOP presidential primary

The Republican Party of Virginia’s State Central Committee (“SCC”), meeting in Richmond, today voted to remove the requirement it had adopted in September 2015 to require voters in its March 1 presidential primary to sign a statement indicating they are Republican.

The move comes after outcry from various quarters of the party, notably from Donald Trump, who excoriated the party for what he alleged was a move designed to exclude voters sympathetic to his candidacy. However, this does not seem to have made any impact of the SCC’s decision....

http://thebullelephant.com/breaking-republican-party-of-virginia-rescinds-oath-requirement/

[katzenjammer]

IIRC, they tried that last cycle in VA and backed off it then too.

It is just an obvious intimidation tactic because it is completely unenforceable in that a voter can come in and sign the pledge, and vote whichever way they want to later.  Trying to simulate a "closed primary" within an "open primary" just doesn't work.

[jmyrlefuller]

Indeed. Oaths don't work. Using voter party registration is the only real effective way to make sure only party members vote. It's not foolproof, but better than a silly oath.

[EdinVA]

IIRC, they tried that last cycle in VA and backed off it then too.

It is just an obvious intimidation tactic because it is completely unenforceable in that a voter can come in and sign the pledge, and vote whichever way they want to later.  Trying to simulate a "closed primary" within an "open primary" just doesn't work.

Yes, they did the same thing last presidential election... each time the VA GOP plays this game they end up with egg on their face.. when will they ever learn...