On January 23, the Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee passed SB 690 by a vote of 10-5. This is the bill that eases the petition requirement for all presidential candidates, whether they are running in a presidential primary, or are petitioning to get on the November ballot. It cuts the number of signatures from 10,000 to 5,000.

The eight Republicans on the Committee supported the bill by a margin of 7-1. The Democrats on the Committee were split, with 3 supporting the bill and 4 opposing it. Thanks to Tom Yager for this news.