Politics | Rick Perry Perry Sues to Get On Va. Ballot Federal court challenge calls signature rules unconstitutional By Rob Quinn Posted Dec 27, 2011 11:31 PM CST Updated Dec 28, 2011 5:32 AM CST Copied Rick Perry gestures during a speech before a Virginia Republican fundraising event in Richmond, Virginia earlier this year. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) Rick Perry is taking Virginia to court over the ballot rules that have kept him and Newt Gingrich off the ballot for the state's March 6 primary. Virginia's requirement for candidates to gather 10,000 signatures is "unrealistic and onerous," says his campaign communications director. Perry's challenge in federal court claims that the rules "unconstitutionally restrict the rights of candidates and voters by severely restricting access to the ballot." Federal courts have struck down similar requirements in other states, but experts believe that Perry's challenge is unlikely to succeed, especially since he did not file it until after he missed Virginia's deadline. "For a candidate who wrote an entire book about 10th Amendment rights, asking federal judges to intervene is an odd move," notes Emily Schultheis at Politico. Read These Next Kerr County considered a flood warning system years ago. A Texas man's disappearance is fodder for true-crime mania. Cancer claims the life of an MLB champ at 44. It's an epic farewell to the gods of metal. Report an error