But supposing Romney turned in 17,286 and Paul turned in 18,884 and the general disqualified signature rate was, say, 6%, then not sampling the signatures may have been statistically justified.
Further, if Perry turned in 10,380 and Gingrich turned in 10,651, then it would most certainly be prudent to examine their petitions since they are within the statistical disqualification rate range.
I really can't say from the information given. Thus, if the Virginia GOP can show that standard statistical sampling techniques were used and no political bias was involved, then there is ample justification for tossing the suit out.
However, another report is saying the Virginia GOP is requiring voters to sign a loyalty pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee. If so, that would certainly weaken their case since there is no precedent for doing it before.
The state statute requires 10,000 signatures with at least 400 from each of the congressional districts. For federal office there is nothing in the statute requiring verification, only for state and local (2 different statute sections.) At some point the RPV said there would be no verification if a 15,000/600 number was reached anything below would require verification, nothing said about sampling. My understanding is the RPV made this announcement very late in the game.
I live in an area totally ignored by TPTB - heck one of the GOP primary candidates for Governor in ‘09 didn’t even include this part of the Commonwealth on the map he used for his letterhead. I know no one that was approached by any candidate or the party itself to sign a petition by any candidate.
I gave up on the RPV quite a while ago and knew they were and would push for Romney, but did at least expect the other candidates on the ballot just like in ‘08, even though they were pushing for mcCain.