Has the Virginia GOP Lost Its Mind?

From Virginia comes this:

If you're planning to vote in Virginia's February Republican presidential primary, be prepared to sign an oath swearing your Republican loyalty.

The State Board of Elections on Monday approved a state Republican Party request to require all who apply for a GOP primary ballot first vow in writing that they'll vote for the party's presidential nominee next fall.

Virginia has an open primary system. Won't this oath more or less guarantee that no independent voters vote in the GOP primary? And isn't that the stupidest thing that the state party organization could do?

Of course, this is simply another way for the extremist wing of the party to assert more control over the nominating process.