Gingrich announced a plan to launch a write-in campaign for the state's GOP Super Tuesday primary in Virginia after state party officials said Gingrich had failed to submit the required 10,000 signatures. But write-ins are not allowed in the Virginia primaries.
Failing to get on the ballot in Virginia, where Gingrich lives, underscores the difficulty first-time national candidates have in preparing for the long haul of a presidential campaign.
The state party said early Saturday that Perry had also failed to submit the required signatures to appear on the March 6 ballot.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will appear on the Virginia ballot along with Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
Ironically, Gingrich had a slight lead over Romney in a Quinnipiac poll of Virginia Republicans released earlier in the week.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
