Ron Paul Wins Top Spot on Virginia Primary Ballot

The State Board of Elections met in Richmond this morning and drew lots for the ballot positions of the candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties for their respective primaries on Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

The candidates who will be listed first on the ballot are Ron Paul for the Republicans and Barack Obama for the Democrats.

Reports the AP:

Regardless of where they stand in the polls on Feb. 12, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Ron Paul will be atop their parties' presidential primary ballots in Virginia.

The State Board of Elections on Thursday selected the order in which the names will appear on the ballots for the February primary. The names were drawn at random from sealed envelopes in a bowl.

Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, is followed on the Democratic ballot by Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Paul, a Texas congressman, is followed by Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Update: Here is the official certificate issued by the State Board of Elections, listing the candidates and their position on the ballot.