OKBallotChoice.org - a coalition of Oklahomans working for FAIR laws that give voters genuine choices


HOME The Issues Resources Press Help Email Discussion List Contact us Home Ballot Access News The E Party Project NOTA4Oklahoma 2004 Campaign Oklahoma Libertarian Party Green Party of Oklahoma Oklahoma Constitution Party Voters in 49 states (but not Oklahoma) could vote for Michael Badnarik, Libertarian Candidate Voters in 28 states (but not Oklahoma) could vote for Green Candidate David Cobb Voters in 35 states (but not Oklahoma) could vote for Reform/Ind. Candidate Ralph Nader Voters in 36 states (but not Oklahoma) could vote for Constitution Candidate Michael Peroutka Voters in 14 states (but not Oklahoma) could vote for Socialist Workers Candidate Roger Calero JMBzine.com MENU













  
-- Return to Press Page

The Journal Record Legislative Report, March 4, 2005

Third parties seeking improved ballot access in Oklahoma

 Third parties seeking improved ballot access in Oklahoma

by Sasha Bradley

Oklahoma City: Most Oklahomans only think of two political parties when deciding how to register or cast their votes - Democrat or Republican. There is an option for voters to register Independent but considering only 10.6 percent of Oklahomans are registered that way, it seems to go unnoticed by many.

Things could be about to change for third parties if House Bill 1429 is heard by the House rules committee; however, that seems unlikely.

"I don't anticipate the bill being heard in committee; however, the final decision will be made in committee meeting next Monday," said state Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, chairwoman of the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 1429 would present the opportunity for third-party candidates to be on state ballots. The bill, if passed, would change the number of signatures required to be on ballots from more than 50,000 to only 5,000.

"We are the only state in the union with only two parties," said James M. Branum, state co-chairman of the Green Party and an active member of Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform, more commonly known as OBAR.

The organization's mission statement is "a coalition of Oklahomans working for FAIR laws that give voters genuine choices." Branum said what OBAR is trying to accomplish is parallel to that of the Green Party.

"We are a party that believes in no violence, social justice, rural communities and individual freedom," said Branum. "By not being able to have a voice in government many of those ideas are not being met, especially expressing individual freedom."

State Rep. Marian Cooksey, R-Edmond, is the bill's author.

"After a letter I received from Richard Prawdzienski, former state chair of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, and receiving information from many other constituents, I decided to author this bill," Cooksey said.

Branum questioned the legislators' willingness to take the bill seriously.

"I don't know why there is no openness in government regarding this bill," he said. "It is not democratic. Oklahomans should have the right to choose their candidate and register their voice on that ballot."

Surrounding states have adopted laws regarding signature requirements for ballot access. Arkansas only requires 1,000 signatures and Kansas requires 5,000. Members of both the Green Party and the Libertarians said it was their belief that Oklahoma Democrats and Republicans are afraid of having a third party present.

"I don't feel having a third party is a threat to the Republicans, but I am speaking for myself not for anyone else," said Cooksey.

Members of the Green and Libertarian parties may have different political beliefs, but they were united on the issue of ballot representation. Whether that occurs will only start to be determined next week, the last week the bill can be heard by the Legislature.