Virginia GOP Leaders Ask State to Nix Affiliation Statement

Republican Party leaders in Virginia will ask the state to cancel a required party affiliation statement for the March 1 GOP presidential primary.

The Virginian-Pilot reported leaders voted on the issue Saturday. GOP state central committee member Roger Miles says leaders are halting their plans because of "bad publicity."

At the party's request, state elections officials were requiring all GOP primary voters to sign a statement affirming "I am a Republican" before being allowed to cast a ballot.

Republican officials had previously said the oath was intended to prevent Democrats from voting in the Republican contest since Virginia does not register voters by party and allows anyone to participate in any primary election.

Supporters of Donald Trump had gone to court to try to block the requirement.