REPUBLICANS GO BACK TO COMPLEX OLD SYSTEM

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 27, 1993                   TAG: 9302270292
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
REPUBLICANS GO BACK TO COMPLEX OLD SYSTEM
Four years ago, calling the winner of the three-way race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination was easy. Voters decided in a June primary election.
Although few Republicans directly criticize that campaign, it produced a losing candidate, Marshall Coleman. So this year, the Republicans decided to return to a byzantine process they had used before, with a few modifications.
Essentially, party leaders hoped that by cramming all the local delegate selections into a single month, they could limit dissension.
Most local parties are scheduled to hold canvasses - an informal type of primary in which the party opens a polling place for several hours so that members can drop in and cast votes. Few canvasses are actually expected to be held, however, because in most localities there are more delegate slots than people seeking them.
Some localities are having mass meetings - essentially local conventions to select delegates to the state convention. But those meetings also seem likely to send anyone who wants to go to the June 6-7 Richmond convention.
Though the filing dates, mass meetings and canvasses are scheduled to be held in March, party headquarters has information from only about half of the local Republican committees on their plans.
The best way to find out what's planned for your area and how to get involved is to call the Republican Party of Virginia at 804-780-0111, or one of the three gubernatorial campaigns: George Allen's, (804)-353-8767; Clint Miller's, (800)-MILLER3; Earle Williams', (804)-353-9300.
Keywords:
POLITICS

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB