Members of the Green Party of Oklahoma are joining with other “third party” members, Libertarian Party and Constitution Party, to work cooperatively to reform Oklahoma’s repressive ballot access laws.

Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform, or OBAR will seek to have a bill introduced in the 2005 session to address the issue. A web site and listserv have been created to facilitate the work and all interested parties, regardless of political affiliation, are invited to join the coalition.

OBAR Website

OBAR Email listserv

James Branum, OK Greens co-Chair, Belinda Silverstar, OK Greens Secretary, along with Green Country Greens Joni LeViness and Valerie Ackerman joined members of the Libertarian and Constitution Parties in a meeting in Stroud to kick off the coalition.

The group intends to push for a bill in the next legislative session addressing the issue.

David Cobb, the Green Party presidential candidate this year, is leading the way in seeking answers and remedies for the mess that was the Ohio election. His web site, VoteCobb.org, is keeping a record of the effort. Financial donations are needed. Help if you can.

The Norman Transcript covered the election day demonstrations to protest Oklahoma’s ballot access laws restricting third parties. The article is available online:

Third party supporters protest presidential ballot
Group says major party candidates don’t represent big portion of population

The Green and Libertarian Parties, united in opposition to Oklahoma’s restrictive ballot access laws, protested on election day in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Green Country Greens Joni LeViness and Jean MacMahon, and Oklahoma Co. Green James Branum called for voters to vote for NOTA, None of the Above, by leaving the presidential slot blank on their ballot.

See press release on NOTA campaign.

On election day, Nov. 2, The Oklahoma Daily, the student newspaper at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, published a story on the shut-out of third parties from the ballot in the state. Daily staff writer Sarah Waldrop interviewed Oklahoma Green Party co-chair James Branum for the article, which is available online.

Third-party candidates not on ballot

Some people will not vote for any candidate due to lack of choice.