Press Release
Lt. Governor Bolling Announces Support for Party Registration
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Richmond - Lieutenant Governor Bolling today sent the below letter to Republican members of the General Assembly expressing his support for HB 20 sponsored by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter and encouraging legislators to support the legislation. This legislation would enact political party registration in Virginia.
Lieutenant Governor Bolling has also added HB 20 to his Legislative Agenda.
January 15, 2008
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
Dear XXX:
I am writing to advise you of my support of HB20. HB20, which was introduced by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, would enact party registration in Virginia. I hope you will carefully review this legislation and give it your support as well.
I have always supported party registration because I believe it is essential to maintaining the integrity of the party nomination process in Virginia. In my judgment, Republicans should decide who Republican nominees are and Democrats should decide who Democratic nominees are.
Second, as a veteran of political campaigns, you know the difficulty and expense of identifying and communicating with voters. Through party registration all candidates will be able to more effectively identify voters and efficiently communicate with them. Additionally, political parties will be able to use party registration to grow their volunteer and supporter bases and strengthen their party as a whole.
Finally, Delegate Lingamfelter's bill allows for political parties to decide who will participate in their nomination contests. If a party would like to allow Independents or members of the other party to participate in their primary, they can do so. This empowers political parties to determine the rules governing their nominations contests. This is the way it should be.
Thank you for considering my views on this important issue. I hope you will give HB20 serious consideration.
Very Truly Yours,
WILLIAM T. BOLLING
Lieutenant Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia
WTB/
For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
