Virginia
METHOD: PETITION + STATEWIDE CANDIDATE
VALID SIGNATURES NEEDED: 10,000
VOTES NEEDED: 10%
VALID SIGNATURES NEEDED: 10,000
VOTES NEEDED: 10%
A political party in Virginia is defined as an organization of citizens that, at either of the two preceding statewide general elections, received at least 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for any statewide office filled in that election.
Recognition process
A political party becomes officially recognized when one of its candidates for statewide offices receives at least 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for that office. Before this, however, there are organizational steps a party must take:
Once a political party is formally recognized by the state, candidates nominated by that party will automatically achieve ballot access for all partisan races for three election cycles.
Recognition process
A political party becomes officially recognized when one of its candidates for statewide offices receives at least 10 percent of the total number of votes cast for that office. Before this, however, there are organizational steps a party must take:
- A group of petitioners may utilize a selected party name on the ballot. The petitioners must organize a state central committee comprising registered voters from each congressional district in Virginia. The party must adopt a party plan and bylaws. The party must also have a designated chairman and secretary for at least six months prior to filing the petition.
- The party name cannot be identical or substantially similar to the name of any qualified, officially recognized political party.[6]
- After meeting the above criteria, this non-recognized political party can have its party label appear next to the name of a candidate running for federal or state office.
- In order to nominate a statewide candidate and seek official ballot status, a petition must be signed by 10,000 qualified voters. The petition must also be signed by 400 qualified voters from each congressional district. The petition must be signed by petitioners on and after January 1 of the year of the election only.
- The petition must be filed with the state board of elections by noon of the 74th day before the election.
Once a political party is formally recognized by the state, candidates nominated by that party will automatically achieve ballot access for all partisan races for three election cycles.
As of May 2017, Virginia officially recognized two political parties: the Democratic and Republican parties.
See statutes: Title 24.2, Chapter 5, of the Election Code of Virginia.
Source: Ballotpedia
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Source: Ballotpedia
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Any political party committee that anticipates receiving contributions and/or spending funds in excess of $200 in order to influence the outcome of any non-federal election in Virginia must register as a political party committee with the Virginia Department of Elections.
Virginia recognizes only two political parties: Democrats and Republicans. All other party organizations are required to register as Political Action Committees. Please see the Political Action Committee page for more information on their reporting requirements.
Statement of Organization for a Political Party Committee
Source:
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info/political-committees/political-party-committees
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Virginia recognizes only two political parties: Democrats and Republicans. All other party organizations are required to register as Political Action Committees. Please see the Political Action Committee page for more information on their reporting requirements.
Statement of Organization for a Political Party Committee
Source:
https://www.elections.virginia.gov/candidatepac-info/political-committees/political-party-committees
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