Oklahoma Libertarian Party: Difference between revisions

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==Oklahoma Caucus==
==Oklahoma Caucus==
At one of the national conventions in the 70's the Oklahoma delegation announced on more than one occasion during the proceedings that they were going to go caucus, a phrase which in reality meant they were going to go to a second location and smoke marijuana.  This rapidly became known as the [[Oklahoma Caucus]] which then evolved into a regular, if informal, event at national conventions where various esteemed Libertarians of the Sooner State would lead discussion of LP history and issues with all who cared to attend.  The Oklahoma Caucus was last held as recently as 2002, hosted that year by [[Robert Murphy]].
At one of the national conventions in the 70's the Oklahoma delegation announced on more than one occasion during the proceedings that they were going to go caucus, a phrase which in reality meant they were going to go to a second location and smoke marijuana.  This rapidly became known as the [[Oklahoma Caucus]] which then evolved into a regular, if informal, event at national conventions where various esteemed Libertarians of the Sooner State would lead discussion of LP history and issues with all who cared to attend.  The Oklahoma Caucus was last held as recently as 2002, hosted that year by [[Robert Murphy]].
==Primaries==
The OKLP has been very active in seeking to use the state's primary system to draw attention to the party.  When achieving ballot access for the first time in 1980, the party had primaries for the 5th Congressional District, won by Jim Rushing over Frank Robinson, and for Tulsa County Clerk.  Oklahoma had a closed primary system until 1987 when a semi-closed system was adopted, allowing parties to include registered Independents if they so chose.  Agnes Regier defeated Mike Clem in 1996 for the U.S. Senate nomination with well over two-thirds of the votes coming from Independents.  In 2000 three Libertarians faced each other for the nomination for Corporation Commission, with Whitney Boutin and Roger Bloxham advancing to a runoff.  However, Boutin withdrew in order to allow Bloxham to become the nominee, a move that saved the state over $200,000 and generated positive press attention.  When the OKLP again achieved ballot access in 2016 Dax Ewbanks and [[Robert Murphy]] faced off for the U.S. Senate nomination.  Murphy went so far as to endorse Ewbanks, but both Independent and Libertarian voters were largely unfamiliar with the two candidates and Murphy won with 59%. 
The party is on the ballot for a gubernatorial election for the first time in 2018.  Three candidates are seeking the gubernatorial election in what appears to be the first genuinely contested primary for the OKLP.


==Tattooing==
==Tattooing==

Revision as of 16:04, 14 December 2017

Oklahoma Libertarian Party
OKLP-logo.png
General Information
Chartered: April 1972
Region: 7
Officers
Chair: Tina Kelly
Vice-Chair: Bailey Betts
Secretary: Christina Wright
Treasurer: Ron Phillips
Contact
Address: 620 Reynolds Road
Edmond, Oklahoma 73013
Website: Website
Social Media
Facebook: Facebook
Twitter: Twitter

Oklahoma Caucus

At one of the national conventions in the 70's the Oklahoma delegation announced on more than one occasion during the proceedings that they were going to go caucus, a phrase which in reality meant they were going to go to a second location and smoke marijuana. This rapidly became known as the Oklahoma Caucus which then evolved into a regular, if informal, event at national conventions where various esteemed Libertarians of the Sooner State would lead discussion of LP history and issues with all who cared to attend. The Oklahoma Caucus was last held as recently as 2002, hosted that year by Robert Murphy.

Primaries

The OKLP has been very active in seeking to use the state's primary system to draw attention to the party. When achieving ballot access for the first time in 1980, the party had primaries for the 5th Congressional District, won by Jim Rushing over Frank Robinson, and for Tulsa County Clerk. Oklahoma had a closed primary system until 1987 when a semi-closed system was adopted, allowing parties to include registered Independents if they so chose. Agnes Regier defeated Mike Clem in 1996 for the U.S. Senate nomination with well over two-thirds of the votes coming from Independents. In 2000 three Libertarians faced each other for the nomination for Corporation Commission, with Whitney Boutin and Roger Bloxham advancing to a runoff. However, Boutin withdrew in order to allow Bloxham to become the nominee, a move that saved the state over $200,000 and generated positive press attention. When the OKLP again achieved ballot access in 2016 Dax Ewbanks and Robert Murphy faced off for the U.S. Senate nomination. Murphy went so far as to endorse Ewbanks, but both Independent and Libertarian voters were largely unfamiliar with the two candidates and Murphy won with 59%. The party is on the ballot for a gubernatorial election for the first time in 2018. Three candidates are seeking the gubernatorial election in what appears to be the first genuinely contested primary for the OKLP.

Tattooing

Oklahoma remains the only state in the Union which has a ban on tattooing. In the recent years, the OKLP have been major proponents of the various bills in the house and senate which would decriminalize tattooing; however, an ultra-conservative legislature have always struck the bills down. In 2004, the Oklahoma Senate passed SB 806 30-15 which would decriminalize tattooing; however, the sister HB 1519 foundered in the house due to the Republican leader not allowing it to be heard. The OKLP continues to push for the full legalization of tattooing. Opponents claim that by legalizing tattooing, it will spread diseases such as HIV which causes AIDS; however, the OKLP asserts the libertarian ideal of bringing tattooing into the free market. By bringing it into the free market, just like illegal drugs, reputable businesses will compete to provide a low-cost, healthy, and secure product and service. The law was changed by the state legislature but is extremely restrictive and has been issued legal challenges by tattoo artists.


Tobacco Tax

The OKLP vehemently oppose the state's recent trend of intruding on the individual's right to smoke tobacco. The OKLP protested, lobbied, and got the message out about the crippling effects of an increased tax on tobacco; however, the 49th Legislature ratified HB 2660 which dramatically hiked the tax up on tobacco products.


Ballot Access

The largest hurdle for the OKLP is access to the ballot. Richard Winger of Ballot Access News, who is the nation's foremost expert on 3rd party politics agrees that Oklahoma has the strictest laws in the nation with regard to access to the ballot for 3rd parties. Oklahoma' Democrat and Republican parties essentially have a state run monopoly. The state is decided evenly along partisan districts and the two parties rarely offer each other any competition in the elections. In 2006 more than half of the Oklahoma State House seats went unchallenged.

In 2004 there were only two choices for President in Oklahoma, Senator John Kerry or President George W. Bush. In the same year Afghanistan had 18!! Not only is Oklahoma the hardest state to get on the ballot in America, but in countries that most people would think would be much more restrictive. The last election in Iraq, they fielded over 350 Presidential candidates! America is spreading Democracy around the world while forgetting to protect Democracy at home.

In 2004 the LP of OK filed a lawsuit, claiming the ballot access laws were unconstitutional. The lawsuit was appealed to the Oklahoma State Supreme Court, who refused to hear their case in February of 2007.

Paul Jacob faced charges related to ballot access efforts in Oklahoma. The events surrounding this were chronicled at freepauljacob.com.

Up to date information on Oklahoma ballot access can be found here.


Past Officials and Staff

Larry Brittain , treasurer (c. 2008)
Jimmy Cook, chair, vice chair (c. 2009)
Steve Galpin, chair
Robert Murphy, chair
Angelia O'Dell, chair (c. 2009)
Chris Powell, chair
D. Frank Robinson, founding chair
David Splinter, vice chair
Robert Stock, secretary
Matt Sweet, chair (c. 1994)
Mike Todd, chair (c. 1995)
Tom Laurent, chair (1973), secretary (1980)
Porter Davis, chair (1976)
Loren L. Baker, chair (1978)

Elections

See: Libertarian Party of Oklahoma Historical Election Results

Size and Influence

Year Minimum
Unique
Voters
Registered
Voters

(Oct/Nov)
Signature
Members
(Dec)
LNC
Total Donors
2004 - 2016
Or
Active Members
1972 - 2003

(Dec)
2016 83,481 3,599 1,169 187
2015 1,038 89
2014 9,125 1,023 90
2013 989 109
2012 7,112 960 109
2011 907 100
2010 48,723 888 113
2009 855 108
2008 1,161 810 126
2007 (Nov) 763 (Nov) 105
2006 724 71
2005 659 106
2004 3,138 689 (Aug) 153
2003 128
2002 63,093 286 153
2001 190
2000 23,253 703 226
1999 194
1998 185
1997 122
1996 14,595 141 128
1995 72
1994 59
1993 46
1992 4,486 63
1991 53
1990 36
1989 35
1988 6,261 42
1987
1986
1985
1984 27,048 444
1983
1982
1981
1980 13,828 875
1979
1978 255
1977
1976 2,867
1975
1974
1973
1972

External Links


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