# Virginia GOP Loyalty Pledge **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518 "2016-01-08T19:30:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/1 "2016-01-08T19:30:46Z")
According to [this story](http://www.npr.org/2016/01/07/462293408/black-pastors-sue-virginia-board-of-elections-over-gop-loyalty-pledge) and others, there is a “loyaty pledge” that voters have to sign to vote in the GOP primary in Virginia. What is the point of this pledge? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/2 "2016-01-08T19:34:39Z")
Virginia has open primaries. Presumably the purpose of the pledge is to dissuade independent (or cross-over) voters. It might be intended as an anti-Trump maneuver. ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/3 "2016-01-08T19:36:22Z")
To prevent Democrat voters from voting in the Republican primary and posting the vote with the less electable candidate. In 2008, there was a similar issue with republican voters voting in the Democrat primaries because they thought one or the other of Hilary or Obama would be easier to defeat in the general election. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/4 "2016-01-08T19:42:03Z")
It apparently has no force of law, and there cannot be any enforcement mechanism because the voters’ subsequent votes will be secret. It’s just an attempt by the state GOP to keep non-Republicans from gumming up their primary, _a la_ Rush’s Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos.” ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/5 "2016-01-08T19:43:53Z")
> [@aktep](#): > > To prevent Democrat voters from voting in the Republican primary and posting the vote with the less electable candidate. > > In 2008, there was a similar issue with republican voters voting in the Democrat primaries because they thought one or the other of Hilary or Obama would be easier to defeat in the general election. Yeah, but if I’m a Democrat, what prevents me from just signing it anyway and voting? It doesn’t mean I’m now a registered Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/6 "2016-01-08T19:47:21Z")
Fear. There’s also another possible motivation: [data mining](http://www.nbc29.com/story/30770194/oath-required-to-vote-in-va-republican-presidential-primary) by the state GOP. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/7 "2016-01-08T19:49:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Fear. There’s also another possible motivation: [data mining](http://www.nbc29.com/story/30770194/oath-required-to-vote-in-va-republican-presidential-primary) by the state GOP. Fear of what? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/8 "2016-01-08T19:52:29Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Yeah, but if I’m a Democrat, what prevents me from just signing it anyway and voting? Nothing. But it will prevent some people who take oaths a bit more seriously (no disrespect to you, I’d do the same thing) or who fear that there’s some form of enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/9 "2016-01-08T20:01:30Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Fear of what? Legal action. Most people are likely to assume that a voting-related document is backed by the force of law. Also, according to the black pastors suing the GOP in your OP, fear of being “outed” in the black community as GOP voters (which seems unlikely, but whatever). ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/10 "2016-01-08T20:06:58Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Legal action. Most people are likely to assume that a voting-related document is backed by the force of law. Also, according to the black pastors suing the GOP in your OP, fear of being “outed” in the black community as GOP voters (which seems unlikely, but whatever). Is there any possible legal action that could be taken? Also, what if I just sign it “Mickey Mouse”, would someone be there in order to check my signature? Are people that scared about being labeled a Republican? Another thing I just thought of - why is no Democrat leader (is there one in Virginia?) coming out to say “Hey, just go and sign whatever name you want and vote for [insert name].” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/11 "2016-01-08T20:29:42Z")
I believe your signature on a contract is binding even if you sign “Mickey Mouse”. as long as it can be proven that you’re the one who signed it. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/12 "2016-01-08T20:37:08Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I believe your signature on a contract is binding even if you sign “Mickey Mouse”. as long as it can be proven that you’re the one who signed it. That may be true, but this pledge doesn’t seem like a contract. It just seems to be a piece of paper that they collect. I don’t think it’s attached to a ballot or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/13 "2016-01-08T20:38:46Z")
I suppose, in theory, they could prosecute you for voter fraud but this document is not issued by the state as far as I can tell. The actual facts are quite difficult to establish; I can only find news articles about what the VAGOP is doing. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I believe your signature on a contract is binding even if you sign “Mickey Mouse”. as long as it can be proven that you’re the one who signed it. That’s a gross oversimplification, but in any event this is not a contract. A contract requires mutual consideration, and there is consideration on only one side of this arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/14 "2016-01-08T21:21:58Z")
I see this could make people nervous, even if they think it is \*probably \*unenforceable. This could have a secondary effect of preventing ‘defections’. Statements people make or sign onto can psychologically lock them into a role or pattern of thought. It is possible that some percentage of people (who may self-identify as independent or soft Republican) who have signed that document would be less likely to switch their vote on election day. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/15 "2016-01-08T21:34:26Z")
It has no authority. It’s just an attempt at intimidation. Even if it carried authority it doesn’t mean anything anyway. You can be Republican one day and a Democrat the next. Here are the rules in [Maryland](http://www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration/), for example. > [@](#): > > May I change parties? > > Yes. To change your party affiliation you can use Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or submit a new voter registration application or a signed written request to your local board of elections. The deadline to change your party affiliation is April 5, 2016 for the Presidential Primary Election and October 16, 2016 for the Presidential General Election. If you request a change in party affiliation after these dates, your request will be held at your local board of elections and processed when registration reopens after the elections. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/16 "2016-01-08T21:41:43Z")
The rule in Maryland is not really relevant. Many states have closed primaries; others prohibit changing registrations for one election cycle. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/17 "2016-01-08T22:00:27Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > What is the point of this pledge? I seem to recall it being enacted in the 2000 GWB/McCain primary in Virginia. The reasons stated at the time were to prevent independents/democrats from crossing over and voting for ‘maverick’ McCain. The idea was to get them to commit to NOT voting in the later Democratic Primary as a means of making sure ‘real’ Republicans only got to vote, i.e. for GWB. I don’t think it has any force of law. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/18 "2016-01-08T22:02:59Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It apparently has no force of law, and there cannot be any enforcement mechanism because the voters’ subsequent votes will be secret. This is only true to a point. Yes, no one knows - in theory - how an individual votes. However, the fact of a vote by a registered voter is public information. So if one signs a pledge and votes in the R primary, then later goes and votes in the D primary, that fact is easily obtainable. Therefore it can become known if a voter forswears their pledge. ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/19 "2016-01-08T22:08:03Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > So if one signs a pledge and votes in the R primary, then later goes and votes in the D primary, that fact is easily obtainable. Therefore it can become known if a voter forswears their pledge. No, the pledge is designed to get you to vote for the Republicans in the GENERAL election. The fact that you voted in the R primary and in the general says nothing about your adherence to your pledge. (As I recall, in Virginia the R & D primaries are the same day in the same location; you come in and tell the poll worker which of the two ballots you want, so there’s no possibility of voting in both anyway. Is this not correct?) ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518/20 "2016-01-09T00:27:47Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > This is only true to a point. Yes, no one knows - in theory - how an individual votes. However, the fact of a vote by a registered voter is public information. > > So if one signs a pledge and votes in the R primary, then later goes and votes in the D primary, that fact is easily obtainable. Therefore it can become known if a voter forswears their pledge. Yeah, but why would this matter? I could just say "Well, I was Republican that day, but I switched after I heard [insert candidate here] say something I disagreed with, so I switched to Democrat. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-gop-loyalty-pledge/742518.md?page=2)