Although Parson’s lawsuit failed, his goal of eliminating the oath succeeded on Feb. 5, when the Republican Party had a change of heart and the State Board of Elections agreed to remove it. The board did so despite having already sent out absentee ballots containing the oath.

Parson said he believes his lawsuit and the ensuing media coverage played a role in the GOP’s reversal.

“I think the media changed [their mind]. I am a media person. They really looked into the adverse effects of me going public,” he said.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia objected to the Republican pledge, but says once absentee ballots went out with the oath, it should have been used in the entire election.

“Did we like that the Republican Party was requiring an affirmation? No. Was it legal? Yes. You know they have those associational rights. But to change the rules of the election after the election has begun is just unfair to voters,” said Hope Amezquita, staff attorney and legislative counsel for the ACLU of Virginia.

The ACLU estimates that 1,400 people returned absentee ballots after having signed the “I am a Republican” oath. It is impossible to say how many more people will now vote in the primary as a result of the oath’s removal.