Perry campaign sues to get on Virginia ballot

Rick Perry.

/ AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign said Tuesday it is filing a lawsuit to get on the ballot in the Virginia primary election after state officials announced last week that he failed to turn in the requisite 10,000 signatures.

"Virginia ballot access rules are among the most onerous and are particularly problematic in a multi-candidate election," said Perry campaign communications director Ray Sullivan in a statement. "We believe that the Virginia provisions unconstitutionally restrict the rights of candidates and voters by severely restricting access to the ballot, and we hope to have those provisions overturned or modified to provide greater ballot access to Virginia voters and the candidates seeking to earn their support."

The campaign maintained that it turned in 11,911 signatures by the deadline when reporters inquired about the state's announcement that the campaign had fallen short. Newt Gingrich also failed to hand in enough signatures, despite a last-minute push to gather supporters in the state. Only former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Rep. Ron Paul have been certified to appear on the ballot in the state's March 6 primary.

The Virginia Board of Elections has said the ballot is set barring a court order. Perry's campaign is not the only group seeking to change the state's rules: Bill Pascoe of a conservative organization called Citizens for the Republic is considering a challenge to the ballot certification process based on the fact that only candidates who submitted less than 15,000 signatures had their petitions cross-referenced with voting roles, which Pascoe said leaves the system open to fraud.

"We're prepared to take this to the Pope," he told CBS News.

In the press release announcing the court challenge, Perry's campaign noted that only119,034 Virginians voted in the 2008 Republican primary, making the 10,000 signature requirement "unrealistic and onerous." The legal challenge is seeking to both get Perry's name on the ballot and to rule the state's ballot access requirements held unconstitutional.

[Maytons]

Newt and Perry couldn't just follow the rules & get the job done, while Paul & Romney did both with ease... This in itself says something about their lack of organization skills and the lack of voter support.

[AdelbertAmes]

Now silly me, I thought this man believed in State's rights, maybe only when they suit him...Good ol' Virginia.

[JRC_903]

Traditionally, Republicans claim to HATE it when a citizen files a court action to have a LAW overturned to favor only that citizen. IT is indeed a great pleasure to see that NOTHING---- absolutely NOTHING they stand for EVER stands the test of time. Rick Perry has about as much chance to become president, as I have. Yet--- he finds nothing wrong with tearing the fabric of society asunder just for his stupid (and I mean STUPID) personal needs and wants.

[JRC_903]

Its about time some these candidates took a stand regarding access to the ballot. Access to the ballot is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and shall not be abridged by the many states--- states rights or NOT---- The last time states tried to restrict access to the ballot, the supreme court rule POLL taxes unconditional. With direct regard to Rick Perry--- his problem was NOT his failure to have a valid photo ID-- his problem is he is too much of a dry/wet drunk to know what to do (or say) next.

[smirk5]

On behalf of some of the people not counted in Gov. Perry's list of names, we protest the exclusion of Gov. Perry from the Virginia primary.

Signed,

Mickey Mouse
Donald Duck
Mike Hunt
Pat McCrotch
Ben Dover Jr.

[rightbehind]

Too Funny! Don't forget Craven

[smirk5]

Perry is for tort reform. So, if some product kills or maims you due to negligence on the manufacturer, he wants to limit damages. But, when he can't follow the rules in Virginia (Romney and Paul had no problem doing it), he calls his lawyers.

[mariannpepit]

All you people on the message board would do the same as Perry. Whose kidding who. No one likes to get cheated and there is plenty of cheating in elections. Especially this generation. Didn't Acorn get caught? I don't blame Perry. If he turned in a count of 11,917 how could he be under 10,000? What happened to the 1,917?. Maybe their rules really are only frontrunners on the ballot.

[mariannpepit]

I do find my reply comment

[sharong59]

Poor Ricardo! Maybe he's afraid if he's a loser he'll have to give back all the millions the Koch Bros. fronted him! Maybe, he should just throw in the towel, and go back to his own beleagured state and pay attention to what the people there want before they boot him out as Governor too! He's a Dubya wannabe and we had enough of both of them! Obama 2012

[mariannpepit]

He must run his state well as he is on his third term and his state don't have the problems that many other states have. I believe him to be the only christian candidate running and we need chritianity in the WH. There is too much of this young generation on drugs, booze and sex. If your thinking Ron Paul will win the nomination your wrong.

[sharong59]

Did you see the one pic of him that's circulating! He has this wide-eyed maniac look like a more manicured Charles Manson! Maybe he should take up acting . . he has the looks for it and is real good at playing a politician!