The petition deadline for candidates seeking a place on the Virginia Republican presidential primary is today. The State Board of Elections will remain open somewhat later than usual today, because some Republican presidential candidates haven’t filed yet, and may be filing at the very last minute. The requirement is 10,000 signatures, the toughest mandatory presidential primary requirement of any state. The petition must include at least 400 signatures from each U.S. House district. Any registered voter may sign.

Newt Gingrich told the press that he will submit at least 14,000 signatures, and maybe as many as 15,000. See this story.

Traditionally, presidential primary petitions are not checked for validity. An independent candidate in Virginia is suing over the policy that says general election petitions are checked for validity, whereas primary petitions are deemed to be sufficient.