WASHINGTON — A contentious loyalty statement requirement has been dropped from the Republican presidential primary in Virginia.

The state board of elections accepted the request from the Virginia Republican Party to drop the oath even though absentee voting had already begun.

Republicans initially requested the pledge — and it was approved in December. There was backlash then from a number of groups including the Donald Trump campaign, and local elections officials worried the pledge could lead to confusion and longer lines at the polls.

Virginia voters do not register by party and when parties elect to use state run primaries, the elections are open to any voter.

Voters can only participate in one primary in a given election.