Libertarian Party National Committee: Executive Committee Meeting on Oklahoma Ballot Access 1/6/16

The Libertarian Party National Executive Committee met on January 6, 2016 to discuss of the re-authorization of spending on Oklahoma ballot access for the 2016 budget and any potential motions to authorize additional Oklahoma spending.

A Motion was approved to re-authorize the unspent encumbrances left for ballot access at the end of 2015.

Redpath moved that an additional $12,500 be authorized to cover up to 40,000 signatures. Concern was raised about the lack of support from the local Oklahoma Libertarians with the exception of Libertarian Party of Oklahoma Vice-Chair Tina Kelly and that they have not honoured their initial commitment of 500 signatures per Board member for a total of 2,000 signatures. The sentiment was raised that if the LNC were to say they were only funding until 1/31/16 and to leave the rest to the Oklahoma Party that it simply would not get done. The working assumption was a 65% signature validity rate. They are still paying $2.50 per signature.

Discussion was had on why did the previous estimate not pan out. One reason is that the target was ramped up from 35,000 signatures to 38,000-40,000 signatures. Other reasons included the increase for the signature cost, and the fact that Oklahoma has not followed through on their commitment for signatures.

Katz spoke from the gallery stating that it seems like the Party is moving from our Statement of Principles in which we oppose the cult of the omnipotent state only to follow the cult of the omnipotent ballot access and that the Party needs to reconsider its fixation on a goal of 50-state ballot access. Redpath spoke against Katz’ thoughts stating that sacrificing ballot access for county level wins is not in the Party’s best interest and that ballot access gives us entrance to battle the two-party stranglehold at the state level.

Mattson clarified that the motion was to encumber an additional $12,500 for Oklahoma ballot access without mentioning a specific number of signatures. The votes were as follows:

Goldstein-No
Hagan-Yes
Lark-Yes
Redpath-Yes
Mattson-Abstain
Vohra-Yes
Sarwark-Yes

Motion passed.

The discussion then went to discussion of locations for the next LNC meeting over which much digital ink had been spilled on the LNC Votes mailing list. The choices were narrowed down between Oklahoma City and Phoenix.

Mattson moved to have the February LNC meeting in Phoenix which Motion passed.

See here, for more information at the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma site on petitioning. Click here for for a link to donate for the ballot access drive at the National Libertarian Party site.

About Post Author

Caryn Ann Harlos

Caryn Ann Harlos is a paralegal residing in Castle Rock, Colorado and presently serving as the Region 1 Representative on the Libertarian National Committee and is a candidate for LNC Secretary at the 2018 Libertarian Party Convention. Articles posted should NOT be considered the opinions of the LNC nor always those of Caryn Ann Harlos personally. Caryn Ann's goal is to provide information on items of interest and (sometimes) controversy about the Libertarian Party and minor parties in general not to necessarily endorse the contents.