A coalition of tea party leaders and activists are lobbying the General Assembly and Gov. Bob McDonnell to change election law to allow write-in votes on the March 6 presidential primary ballot. Sen. Frank M. Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) introduced a bill last week that would change existing law to allow for write-ins in both primary and general elections. The groups are asking voters to sign petitions supporting the bill. In order for the bill to be effective March 6, it would require four-fifths of legislators to approve, which is unlikely to happen. Legislative leaders in both chambers say it’s not a priority. Only former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) qualified for the Virginia ballot.
“With only two choices on the ballot, tea party activists fear, most people simply won’t vote on March 6, 2012,’’ according to a news release. “Many tea party leaders do not support either Mitt Romney or Ron Paul for president.”
Charlie Judd, chairman of the State Board of Elections, said there is interest in perhaps changing the law for future elections, but that there is no time for this election.
Full Article: McDonnell and General Assembly lobbied to allow write-ins on presidential ballots – Virginia Politics – The Washington Post.