Virginia GOP Challenging Virgil Goode's Status on Ballot

Allege petition fraud, want the former Republican Congressman and Constitution Party presidential nominee off the ballot

Former congressman Virgil Goode Jr. has qualified for the presidential ballot in Virginia, the State Board of Elections ruled Tuesday, adding a potential obstacle to Republican Mitt Romney's hopes of winning the pivotal state.

The state Republican Party is challenging Goode's eligibility, alleging petition fraud, and the Constitution Party's nominee still could be knocked off the ballot. Goode served in Congress as a Democrat, an independent and then a Republican before losing his southwest Virginia seat in 2008, and he could siphon votes from Romney.