On December 9, Virginia Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) introduced HB 82, which eases the definition of a “political party.” Current law says it is a group that polled at least 10% for any statewide race at either of the last two elections. The bill changes that to 5%.

If the bill were enacted in 2016, it would have the result of putting the Libertarian Party on the ballot for 2016. The party polled 6.55% for Governor in 2013. There was also a statewide election in 2014, but no statewide office was up in 2015, so a showing in 2013 would have counted for both 2014 and 2016.

Rasoul introduced the same bill in 2015, except that he used 4%. That bill was HB 1463, and it did not pass.