[jQuery] validate plugin with one element

[eben]

I have a simple form with one select list as it's element.  I am using
the validate plugin to do remote ajax validation on that element.  The
response returns a true or false.

This all works fine, but the problem is that the validation takes
place when you click the submit button, since there are no other form
elements to move to.  You then have to click the submit button twice,
once to validate, and again to actually perform the submit...

Is there a way to have it automatically submit after the validation
returns true?

Here's the code:
$(document).ready(function() {
                    // validate signup form on keyup and submit
                    $("#the_form").validate({
                       rules: {
                        element: {
                                 remote: "remote.php"
                        }
                 }
          });

thanks,
Eben