The Oklahoman reports this morning that the Oklahoma Libertarian Party will today launch a petition drive to place the Barr-Root ticket on the state ballot as independents. The LP “is not recognized in Oklahoma so Barr would need to run as an independent candidate,” the newspaper says. At least 43,913 valid signatures must be collected by July 15.
Oklahoma LP Chair Angelia O’Dell said, “Bob Barr’s independent candidacy will allow Oklahoma voters a real choice this November. Even though our state’s antiquated ballot laws kept our party off the ballot this year, we expect Barr’s conservative message of limited government and personal responsibility will resonate with Oklahomans.”
The “independent” procedure in Oklahoma is really a procedure for unqualified parties. So Barr would have “Libertarian” next to his name on the ballot.
West Virginia procedures for independents and minor party candidates are identical. All West Virginia has are candidate petitions; there is no petition to qualify a party per se; it doesn’t exist. Eleven states have no party petition procedure.
Hopefully he gets on the ballot here and all the reset of the states and DC. What’s the obstacle that makes West Virginia seem so difficult too? Is is just another state where he’ll have to be on the ballot as an independent?