RRomney and Paul had both run there before in VA, and at that time, VA didn’t use the registration checking system that it used in this case. They weren’t grandfathered in, but most of their signatures had been accepted and they didn’t have to gather many new signatures (both Romney and Paul have been running for President since at least 2008, so they’re firmly installed everywhere).
The difference is that after the lawsuit (filed by a Dem), VA started machine checking signatures, which means that “St.” for “Street” would be rejected, depending on how the person was originally registered. So unless you had such a huge margin that nothing could be rejected, even after being split up among the different VA counties so you got at least 400 in each county, you were going to be out of luck.
It’s a cumbersome and useless system, which in this case is being used by Romney. However, he didn’t originate it and is simply enjoying it.
Gingrich and Perry should both withdraw from VA.
Romney and Paul had to (and did) collect all new signatures.
Here is the form they had to gather the signatures on:
http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/20120306SBE-545_legal.pdf
Note it says: “the Presidential Primary Election to be held on March 6, 2012.”
The RPV says it checked the signatures with “signature-by-signature scrutiny “. They spent 7 hourse checking Paul’s signature.
I’m sure you’re mistaken that obvious things- like “st” instead of “street”- mattered.
Paul and Romney’s pre-existing organizations made all the difference, unfortunately...
I don't know what Gingrich has in mind, but I'm glad Perry is taking this on.
Here's the original thread I started that sheds light on the Osborne case...