Small Political Parties Look For Easier Ballot Access

Sunday, September 2nd 2007, 5:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A coalition of small political parties plans to file an initiative petition to change Oklahoma law and give them easier access to Oklahoma election ballots. The political parties maintain that getting more parties on the ballot will give Oklahoma voters more choice and give them a better foothold to make changes in Oklahoma government.

Currently, a political party seeking to form in Oklahoma must obtain the signatures of registered voters equal to 5% of the total vote in the last general election. That would amount to 43,324 signatures.

The political parties also would have to get 10% of the vote in the next general election to remain recognized.

The coalition wants to change the law to require just 5,000 signatures for recognition and ballot access.