When Virginia Republicans walk into their voting booths on February 12th, the name on the top of the ballot will be Ron Paul:
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Regardless of where they stand in the polls on Feb. 12, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Ron Paul will be atop their parties’ presidential primary ballots in Virginia.
The State Board of Elections on Thursday selected the order in which the names will appear on the ballots for the February primary. The names were drawn at random from sealed envelopes in a bowl.
Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, is followed on the Democratic ballot by Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.
Paul, a Texas congressman, is followed by Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
It’s an entirely random process, so it really isn’t a big deal. And it’s unlikely to have any real impact on the vote:
H/T: Rick Sincere
December 20th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Ballot placement does make some difference, though it’s hard to measure. That’s why names are drawn randomly — to avoid favoritism.
When people have not decided whom to vote for before they enter the polling booth, the default is often the first name on the ballot. That is not likely to happen in a partisan primary, but it’s not impossible.
There may be a few people who will go in to the voting booth, see Ron Paul’s name first, and think, “Hey, he’s the guy with the blimp. I’ll vote for him.”
December 20th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Ron Paul is the best choice for all citizens who would like government to return to its Constitutional limits. Everyone will win with Ron Paul as President. Ron Paul is the only candidate with a long record of fighting for Liberty and Justice for ALL Americans. Visit: RonPaul2008.com
December 20th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
there is a God
December 20th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Some things are meant to be and everyone knows america needs a doctor not a lying lawyer or a deciever who believes in a false gospel, who will say anything at the time to get elected. We have a real choice in Ron Paul to restore respect for are Nation. http://www.dailypaul.com
December 21st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Hopefully he ends up at the bottom of the vote getting list, regardless of position on the ballot. His response to the Huckabee Christmas ad in Iowa is just more proof the dude is on a different planet.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:03 pm
This can only bode well for both Ron Paul and Barack Obama. I’m sure there have been plenty of people who still had not made up there mind when entering the voting booth and simply selected the first name on the list. Shoot I’ve done that before, though it was just local county/city races.
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Um, what was wrong with his response to Huckabee’s ad? Have you even watched the videos? As far as I’m concerned, Paul went easy on him.
December 25th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Ron Paul is at the top of my ballot anyway, so having his name first on the list makes it easier for me to do what I was going to do in the first place, now I can ignore the rest of the lightwights withan easier conscience.
December 27th, 2007 at 5:34 am
I’m 68 years old and I never thought I would live long enough to see a decent man on the ballot. Ron Paul stands for everything I believe in. Thank God my grandchildren may have a chance after all.