Libertarian ballot access drive in Oklahoma picking up pace

The red line is signatures actually collected, the blue line is how many signatures the LP would need to stay on pace to complete the petition drive on time, the numbers top to bottom on the left are signatures collected, and the numbers on the bottom from left to right are weeks since the petition drive started.

Wes Benedict reports on LNC-business list:

We have ramped up our collection rate dramatically. I currently predict
(but I caution that my prediction could be off due to many factors such
as weather, competing petitions, validity issues, math or count errors,
and many other issues), but again, I currently predict we will finish
around January 15 plus or minus 10 days. So be sure to check back with
me before making concrete plans.

March 1 is the state mandated petition deadline. If the drive is completed successfully, this will be the first time since 2000 that Oklahomans have had a choice besides Democrats and Republicans in the presidential race (longer than any other state), and the first time since 2000, when the Libertarians and the Reform Party qualified, that there has been any third party on the ballot in Oklahoma for any office (although independents can run). The signature requirement was reduced last year from 5% of the statewide vote to 3% by a bill which passed the legislature. Oklahoma still remains one of the toughest states to get on the ballot with a third party for any office, or for any third party or independent presidential ticket. Ballot access reformers are hoping for another bill to reduce the retention requirement, also among the most difficult of any state, in the near future.

The Green Party is also petitioning to get on the ballot in Oklahoma, but has not reported any significant progress on its all-volunteer petition drive, and at this point seems unlikely to qualify, barring major unforeseen developments.