Oklahoma political party chairs with advice for new candidates

With candidate filing for federal, state, and local office now in progress, I reached out to the chairs of Oklahoma's three political parties with a questionnaire on filing for office, and specifically regarding helpful considerations for those running or considering running for the first time:

Oklahoma State Election Board releases annual voter registration statistics

Looks like it's time to work on updating my Voter Registration Maps series again:

Annual Voter Registration Statistics Released –  Voter List Maintenance Conducted

(Oklahoma City) – An official voter registration report by the Oklahoma State Election Board shows 2,225,086 people are registered to vote as of January 15, 2023. The annual report comes days after the State Election Board conducted its statutorily-required voter list maintenance process, removing inactive voters and duplicate voters.

Election Board: Libertarians draw top listing for November ballot, first post-election audit completed

Here's some news from the Oklahoma State Election Board:

GOP Fever: Oklahoma's 2021 Voter Registration Map

I'm a bit behind due to recent craziness with work, but here we go with the latest installment of my long-running Voter Registration Maps series. These statistics are from the annual January 15th report from the State Election Board. (For nostalgia purposes, Democrats can look at my first map and see how much of Oklahoma was still blue and dark-blue in 2013)

Since last January, the GOP has taken the lead in sixteen counties: Adair County (5.43% GOP lead), Craig County (5.55% lead), Jefferson County (8.31% lead), Kiowa County (11.14% lead), LeFlore County (10.36% lead), Love County (1.06% lead), McCurtain County (1.23% lead), Marshall County (16.17% lead), Okfuskee County (0.81% lead), Okmulgee County (0.86% lead), Ottawa County (9.3% lead), Pittsburg County (2.18% lead), Pontotoc County (6.52% lead), Seminole County (4.87% lead), Sequoyah County (5.24% lead), and Tillman County (9.31% lead). 

Democrats hold the plurality or majority in just 15 counties: Atoka County (2.79% Democrat lead), Caddo County (0.11% lead), Cherokee County (9.55% lead), Choctaw County (3.63% lead), Coal County (35.6% lead), Greer County (1.36% lead), Harmon County (7.85% lead), Haskell County (3.69% lead), Hughes County (5.79% lead), Johnston County (0.21% lead), Latimer County (13.32% lead), McIntosh County (11.2% lead), Murray County (1.05% lead), Muskogee County (4.65% lead), and Pushmataha County (10.29% lead).

In January 2020, Democrats held majority status in 14 counties. As of January 15th of 2021, that had shrunk to just two: Coal (62.86%) and Latimer (51.81%).

Major County has the widest gap, with 78.39% Republicans and 12.45% Democrats.

Comanche County has the highest percentage of registered Independent voters at 20.48%, while Jackson County has the highest percentage of registered Libertarians at 0.897%. 

Over the next several days, we'll take a look at some more statistics and maps. For now, enjoy Oklahoma's rising GOP fever.

Voter Registration Maps: Party Growth, 2019 to 2020

Continuing my Voter Registration Maps series update, here are maps representing the changes in percentage by county of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and Libertarians.

Republicans made some slight improvements on the 2019 figures, gaining ground in 74 counties and dropping in just three (as opposed to 71 to 6 last year). The losses came in the urban counties of Cleveland, Oklahoma, and Tulsa, but maxed out at a shift of -0.31% in Oklahoma County. The average drop in those three counties in 2019 was -0.62%, but this year it was -0.19%, so... something to be grateful for as a Republican, I suppose.

Haskell County was once again the highest growth spot for the GOP, increasing as a percentage of the registered voters there by +5.35%. Increases were the lowest in northern and central Oklahoma, and greatest in the southeast, each indicative of the overall registration ratios in the regions.

Statewide, Republicans rose to 48.25% of all registered voters, an increase of +0.82%.

As with every year since 2014, Democrats declined as a percentage of registered voters in all 77 counties. Their best county was Oklahoma County, where they fell by 0.25%. Tulsa County was close behind at -0.26%. Haskell County was the worst performer for the Democrats, with their percentage plummeting by 5.68%.

Statewide, the Democrats fell by 1.25% to 35.32% of all registered voters.

Independents lost ground in 14 counties, and increased percentages in 63 counties. Ottawa County led the way for the third time in four years, with an increase of +0.81%, while Woodward County had the greatest loss at -0.74%.

Independents had higher increases than Republicans in 8 counties (Canadian, Cleveland, Comanche, Garfield, Oklahoma, Payne, Tulsa, and Washington). Statewide, Independents increased by +0.32%, bringing them up to 15.89% of all registered voters.

While numerically miniscule compared to the other three identifications, Libertarians have continued to have steady growth. They posted gains in 76 counties, while losing one voter and 0.02% in Alfalfa County.

Libertarians outgrew Independents in 20 counties (Atoka, Beaver, Bryan, Cherokee, Coal, Craig, Delaware, Ellis, Grant, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Muskogee, Nowata, Pittsburg, Rogers, Texas, Washington, Washita, and Woodward).

For that matter, they increased their share of registered voters more than the Democrats in all 77 counties, and more than the GOP in the following five counties: Canadian, Cleveland, Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Washington.

Statewide, Libertarians increased by +0.098%, putting them at 0.534% of all registered voters in Oklahoma. Their highest percentage is in Payne County, at 0.754%.

Oklahoma Voter Registration Map, January 2020

In the latest installment of my long-running Voter Registration Maps series, we will once again take a look at voter registration across the state. These statistics are from the annual January 15th report from the State Election Board. (For nostalgia purposes, Democrats can look at my first map and see how much of Oklahoma was still blue and dark-blue in 2013)

Since last January, the GOP has taken the lead in Roger Mills County (6.63% GOP lead), Cotton County (4.34% lead), and neighboring Comanche County (0.74% lead). Democrats still cling to narrow margins in Marshall County (0.13% Democrat lead), Kiowa County (1.46% lead), Pontotoc County (1.55% lead), Ottawa County (1.8% lead), Tillman County (2.58% lead), Bryan County (2.75% lead), Seminole County (5.21% lead), and Jefferson County (5.34% lead).

Coal (68.78%), Latimer (61.24%), and Pushmataha (60.35%) are the lone counties with over 60% registered Democrats. Even in Coal County, however, the Democratic lead over GOP registration has dropped to 47.07%; a decade ago, that lead in Coal County was 70.38%, with 82.53% of registered voters being Democrats.

Major County is the most polarized county, with 77.6% Republicans and 13.9% Democrats.

Comanche County has the highest percentage of registered Independent voters at 20.03%, while Payne County has the highest percentage of registered Libertarians at 0.754%. Incidentally, Comanche County has the highest percentage of voters outside of the two main parties, with 20.62% registered Independent or Libertarian -- 1.55% higher than the next closest county (Carter, 19.14%). That's the largest such gap in the rankings.

2020: OK Dems open primaries to Independents, OKGOP and Libertarians to stay closed

Political Parties Notify Election Board Secretary About ‘Open’ Primaries

(Oklahoma City) – Every odd-numbered year, recognized political parties in Oklahoma are required to notify the Secretary of the State Election Board whether or not the party will allow registered Independents to vote in its primary elections.

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that he has been notified by the Oklahoma Democratic Party that it will allow Independents to vote in its primaries in 2020-2021.

The Oklahoma Republican Party and Oklahoma Libertarian Party have notified Secretary Ziriax that they will close their primaries to Independent voters.

“This means, there is no change for unaffiliated voters in 2020. As has been the case for the past two years, Independent voters may continue to vote in Democratic Party primaries, but not in Republican or Libertarian primaries,” Ziriax said.

Oklahoma is a closed primary state, meaning only registered voters affiliated with a recognized political party may vote in that party’s primary elections. However, state law gives recognized parties the option to open its primaries to registered Independents by notifying the Secretary of the State Election Board between November 1 and November 30 prior to the election year. The Democratic Party notified the Election Board of its decision before the deadline, which extended the deadline to December 15 for the other recognized parties.

Voters can confirm their party affiliation or make changes to their voter registration online using the OK Voter Portal at: elections.ok.gov/OVP.

Secretary Ziriax reminded voters that state law prohibits changes in party affiliation from April 1 through August 31 of even-numbered years. Party changes submitted during this time period are processed and activated on September 1.

For more information on elections in Oklahoma, visit our website at: elections.ok.gov.

Election Results Map: Libertarian Gubernatorial runoff

This Election Results Map post looks at the Libertarian Party's gubernatorial runoff . Previously, I posted the maps for the GOP State Auditor, Attorney General, Corporation Commission, Labor Commissioner, and Lieutenant Governor runoffs.

In the primary election, Chris Powell won 53 counties, while Rex Lawhorn won 16, with two counties tied between Powell/Lawhorn and one between Lawhorn/Exotic. Two counties had no votes cast.

In the runoff, Powell won 29 counties, Lawhorn won 26 counties, 9 were tied, and 13 had no votes cast. Despite the closer county tally, Powell did well where it mattered most, with large margins in the metros and counties where more than 20 Libertarians cast ballots.

32 counties had five or fewer votes cast; statewide, 926 Libertarians voted in their gubernatorial runoff.

Election Results Map: Libertarian Gubernatorial Primary

For the latest installment in my Election Results Maps series, we now take a look at the GOP primary for Corporation Commission. As is my custom, I try to match primary results map colors to campaign logos when possible.

In the only Libertarian primary this year, three candidates split the vote enough to bring Libertarian voters back to the polls in August for a runoff election.

Chris Powell took in 48.9% of the vote, falling just shy out clinching the nomination for Oklahoma's newest political party. He garnered a majority in 34 counties, and plurality wins in another 19 counties.

Rex Lawhorn came in second with 32.43% of the vote. He won 12 counties outright, and had plurality victories in four more counties.

Third-place candidate Joe Exotic received the majority vote in two counties, and a plurality in one county. He took 18.66% of the vote statewide.

Two counties ended in a tie between Powell and Lawhorn, while one was a tie between Lawhorn and Exotic. Two counties on the western border with Texas had no votes cast in the Libertarian primary.

With only 3,558 votes statewide, some counties had very few Libertarian ballots cast. In Beaver, Cimarron, Coal, Ellis, Grant, Harper, and Major counties only one Libertarian voted, while in Tillman County two Libertarian votes were cast.

Libertarian John Yeutter running for State Auditor

JOHN YEUTTER TO RUN FOR STATE AUDITOR

TAHLEQUAH, February 23, 2018—Dr. John Yeutter, PhD CFP®, CPA, Tahlequah resident and member of the Libertarian Party, has announced he is a candidate for the office of Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector.

“I believe that citizens deserve assurance that their city, county and state governments spend their tax dollars as promised.”

To assure voters that he will remain independent, and focused on the needs of Oklahoma citizens, he has pledged not to receive any donations from outside the State, from any potential auditees, or from Political Action Committees.

Yeutter is a CPA licensed to practice in the State of Oklahoma.

A native of Michigan, he moved to Norman in 1978, and worked in the building trades for over 15 years. Returning to school, he studied accounting, and worked as a staff accountant at The Williams Group, CPAs in Norman.

He began teaching accounting at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah in 1995 and received his PhD from the University of Oklahoma in 1996. He served as President of the Faculty Council at NSU from 2005-2007, and was Chair of the Department of Finance and Accounting from 2011-2015.

In addition to teaching Auditing, Government Accounting and Taxation, Dr. Yeutter has been involved in community service. He coordinated a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, preparing free income tax returns for the public from 1998 through 2014. He has also served on various nonprofit boards in the community.

Yeutter’s message is simple, “Taxpayers in Oklahoma should have confidence that their state and local tax dollars are accounted for.”

“The voters need transparency from their government, and the office of the State Auditor and Inspector is the State agency that provides citizens with that assurance. I have the knowledge and skills to provide taxpayers with independent assessment of the quality of their government’s financial information.”

The official campaign website is: Yeutter4OK.com along with an official Facebook page.

Oklahoma Libertarian Party moves to Closed Primary

REGISTERED LIBERTARIANS TO CHOOSE PARTY CANDIDATES

On Saturday September 7th, during a special meeting of the Executive Committee, the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma voted to allow only registered Libertarians to select the party's candidates. All Libertarians currently registered as Independent should re-register in order to vote in the party primaries.

As of today, there are three gubernatorial candidates competing in the Libertarian primary to be held on June 26, 2018 with a runoff election on August 28, 2018. Indications predict primaries necessary for other races as well. All registered voters will be able to vote for the winning Libertarian candidates during the general election, on November 6, 2018.

Over the past several months, party members have been weighing the merits of both the open primary and closed primary options. Through the sponsorship of panel discussions and education events, the party has used participation in the decision making process as a positive way of engaging the community and energizing membership.

Immediately after the vote, party leaders expressed a renewed commitment to advancing party objectives and continuing to take advantage of the tremendous positive momentum currently being experienced.

“Decisions like this and others are welcome indications of growth for us. Going forward we will concentrate on the recruitment of candidates and making sure Oklahomans know we’re here. These are exciting times. There is another choice when it comes to the political direction of Oklahoma’s future,” said Libertarian Party Chair, Tina Kelly

In addition to the three gubernatorial candidates running as Libertarians, Rex Lawhorn, Joe Maldonado and Chris Powell, there are eight candidates running in down ticket races. Included in that number is Traci Baker, a Libertarian and the youngest candidate to run for a non-partisan Norman City Council seat. The party is excited by this initial interest and expects many more candidates to declare before the arrival of the 2018 filing dates.

The party urges anyone interested in learning more or running for an office to contact them via their website OKLP.org.

          *          *          *          *          *

Blogger's note: the OKLP had an 'open' primary last year, allowing registered Independents to vote as well as registered Libertarians. They were the only party to have a statewide primary, as two Libertarians filed to run against incumbent U.S. Senator James Lankford (R). They did so in a  recruitment/growth bid for the newly-recognized party, with one candidate (Robert Murphy) endorsing the other (Dax Ewbank) as they felt Ewbank, a 2014 GOP gubernatorial candidate, would have a better shot due to having been on a statewide ballot before.

However, Murphy ended handily defeating Ewbank, putting the "wrong" candidate in as nominee, in large part because more Independents voted in the OKLP primary than Libertarians. This seems to have prompted the OKLP's decision to close their primary.

Chris Powell, the sole Libertarian candidate for county office in 2016, argued earlier this year against closing the OKLP primary in a post here.

OK voter registration surges, Democrats drop below 40%

Oklahoma’s voter registration surges past 2004, 2012 presidential election numbers

(Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma’s official pre-election voter registration statistics released on Nov. 1 show 2,157,450 Oklahomans are registered to vote in advance of the Nov. 8 General Election, State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax reported on Tuesday.

The statistics represent a net increase of more than 40,000 voters over the 2012 presidential election. The total was also higher than the official count before the 2004 election. Registration numbers did not reach the level set before the 2000 and 2008 presidential elections.

Since Jan. 15, Oklahoma has had a net gain of 178,643 voters. The biggest net beneficiary of the increases was the Republican Party, which added 103,802 voters. Independents added 46,586 voters, while Democrats saw in increase of 24,658 and Libertarians added 3,599. The Libertarian Party became recognized in Oklahoma earlier this year.

Republicans are growing the fastest in terms of raw numbers and share of the electorate, extending their lead as the state’s largest party. Republicans now make up 45.6 percent of all voters. Republicans first became the largest party in the state following the 2014 General Election. Independents, meanwhile, remain the fastest growing portion of the electorate, with registration among Independents rising at a rate of 17.5 percent since January.

Although the number of Democrats in the state grew over the year, the party’s share of the electorate continued to decline, a trend that has been consistent over several decades. Democrats were officially the state’s largest party from statehood until January 2015.

Americans Elect, a political organization that gained recognition in 2012 but failed to field any candidates, had 11 voters as of Nov. 1. The group will cease to exist after this year.

Oklahoma’s registered voters:

                                    JAN. 15, 2016                                     NOV. 1, 2016

REPUBLICANS                   880,130….44.5%                     983,932….45.6%

DEMOCRATS                      832,059….42.0%                     856,717….39.7%

LIBERTARIAN                                       N/A                           3,599…...0.2%

AMERICANS ELECT                   13…..N/A                               11…….N/A

INDEPENDENTS                 266,605….13.5%                    313,191….14.5%

TOTAL                                  1,978,807                                 2,157,450      



HISTORICAL VOTER REGISTRATION IN OKLAHOMA

The State Election Board began recording statewide voter registration statistics by party in 1960.

YEAR                    DEM                      REP                      IND                       OTHER/LIB

1960                       82.0%                    17.6%                    0.4%                      N/A

1980                       75.8%                    22.8%                    1.4%                      N/A

2000                       56.7%                    35.0%                    8.3%                        *

NOV. 1                  39.7%                    45.6%                    14.5%                     0.2%
*Registration for minor recognized parties or political organization was less than 0.0001%.

To view historical voter registration statistics or to obtain a voter registration application, visit http://elections.ok.gov.

Former OKGOP chair Tom Daxon endorses Gary Johnson for President

Long-time Republican leader and office-holder Tom Daxon: I will be voting for Gary Johnson

October 26, 2016, Salt Lake City, UT -- Tom Daxon, former Oklahoma State Auditor, Secretary of Finance and Revenue, and Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, has let it be known that he will be voting for Gov. Gary Johnson for President.

In a message to Governor Johnson, Daxon says, “Thank you for making the personal sacrifices inherent in running for President. I will be voting for you.

“I am a life-long Republican. Fifty years ago, I was President of the Oklahoma County Teen-Age Republicans and later Chairman of Oklahoma College Republicans and part of our delegation to the 1976 National Convention. I have held statewide elective office as a Republican and served as Republican State Chairman. Only a few times have I failed to vote for the Republican candidate. But, I am an American first!

“This is a very important election. Donald Trump announced his candidacy with a promise to restrict immigration from Mexico and he all but declared a trade war with the rest of the world. With our serious national debt, we need growth. We aren't going to get it with a bunch of new regulations and high tariffs. And - with government playing its proper role, America CAN compete with anyone in the world.”

Daxon served as Oklahoma State Auditor from 1979 to 1983, and as the state’s Secretary of Finance and Revenue from 1995 to 2003. He served as Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party from 2006 to 2008.

North Carolina's top Libertarian candidates are Oklahoma exports

The Oklahoma Libertarian Party is experienced a mini-resurgence, obtaining ballot access for the first time since the 2000 election. In addition to the party presidential nominee Gary Johnson, 15 other Libertarians will be on the ballot for a variety of offices, ranging from U.S. Senate to the state legislature.

Those candidates won't be the only Oklahoma Libertarians on the November ballot, however. In an interesting coincidence, the top Libertarian candidates in North Carolina both have Oklahoma ties. My wife stumbled across this tidbit while researching candidates for friends and family in her homestate.

Lon Cecil

Lon Cecil is the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor of North Carolina. A 19-year resident of the Tarheel State, Cecil was born in Oklahoma, graduated from Oklahoma State University, and worked for a time in Ada with a small-market television station.

In recent polling, Cecil is drawing about 3%, which could have a major impact on the race, as incumbent Republican Governor Pat McCrory is locked in a virtual tie with Democrat Attorney General Roy Cooper.

Sean Haugh

Sean Haugh is the NC Libertarian Party nominee for U.S. Senate. Here are some excerpts from his website:

I was born in Tucson in 1960 and still have strong Arizona roots. But I list my hometown as Tulsa because we moved there when I was 2 and stayed until I left high school.

I love living in Durham in part because it's a lot like living in Tulsa without having to live in Tulsa any more.

I don't align myself with any particular religion, but I am an Oklahoma Sooners football fan, which is pretty much the same thing.

Haugh has a very active YouTube channel, where he rambles in a bizarre-yet-halfway-entertaining manner. While Cecil came across as a respectable and semi-serious candidate in a recent televised debate, Haugh sounds and looks like a goofy nut.

Incumbent Republican Senator Richard Burr has a slight lead over Democrat challenger Deborah Ross, but Haugh is receiving between 2% and 6% in recent polling.

Will North Carolina's Oklahoma Libertarians be more successful than Oklahoma's Oklahoma Libertarians? We'll know for sure come November 8th.

Map: voter affiliation changes in March

When I asked the state election board for information on Libertarian Party registration (see my post this morning), I also asked to if they tracked how many voters switched from one party to another. They were kind enough to send me that as well, so I put that data into the graphic below:

(click image to view larger)

This was interesting to see, so in the future I'll probably try to get data that covers an entire year.

Things to note:

• Contrary to popular belief, far more Independents switched to Republican than Republicans switched to Independent
• Relatively few Republicans switched parties (2,342 Republicans compared to 8,882 Democrats and 4,939 Independents)
• Former Republicans comprise about 48.25% (314) of all registered Libertarians (651 total)
• One voter made at least two registration changes during the last 8 days of March: something/unregistered to Libertarian to Republican. Talk about busy!
• One voter switched from Americans Elect to the GOP (AE is a recognized "political organization" as opposed to a "political party"; why there's a distinction beats me. 12 Oklahomans are registered under Americans Elect, with 5 of them here in Muskogee County).

Map: Oklahoma Libertarian Party registration by county

With the re-birth of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party, I've worked up a new voter registration map.

(click to view larger)

After the Oklahoma Libertarian Party was officially recognized on March 21st and before the March 31st voter registration cutoff for the June primary, Libertarian voters registered in 55 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. There are now 651 OLP members, or 0.033% of all registered voters in Oklahoma.

The above map illustrates the raw total of registered Libertarians by county. Ironically, Oklahoma County has the highest raw total with 183, but is 5th in percentage (0.48%), while Cherokee County has the highest percentage (0.84%), but is 5th in raw total (19).

Oklahoma Libertarian Party gains ballot access

State recognizes Libertarian Party

(Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced that the Libertarian Party has been certified as a recognized party in the state Monday after election officials reviewed and approved petitions submitted last month.

The Libertarians gathered 42,182 signatures. Of those, 30,517 were deemed valid. The minimum number needed to certify a new party was 24,745.

“This means Oklahomans can register as members of the Libertarian Party, and candidates can run as Libertarian for all partisan offices in the state,” Ziriax said. “The Libertarian Party also will receive a ballot line for President and Vice President in November’s General Election.”
There is a short window for those who would like to register as Libertarians before the June Statewide Primary and August Runoff Elections. Anyone who is currently registered and wishes to change their affiliation must do so by March 31 for the change to be processed before those elections.

The Libertarian Party has also notified the Secretary of the State Election Board that it will allow Independents to vote in its primary and runoff primary elections.

Those who want to change their affiliation or register as new voters in the Libertarian party must fill out and return a Voter Registration Application Form, which can be downloaded at www.elections.ok.gov. Forms are also available in person at county election boards, tag agencies and other locations.

RJ Harris: The Evolving Perennial Candidate

Governor Mary Fallin appears to have drawn her first opponent for the 2014 campaign, and the candidate comes with a colorful history.

Meet RJ Harris, Republican Libertarian Independent Democrat candidate for Congress President Congress Governor.

Let's examine the political evolution of Oklahoma's next great perennial candidate.

2010:

RJ Harris, Republican

RJ's first foray into politics was as a Republican candidate in Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District in 2010. He lost to Congressman Tom Cole 77%-23%.

 2012:

RJ Harris, Libertarian

In August of 2011, Harris threw his hat into the ring for President -- this time as a Libertarian. After nine months of campaigning for the nomination, he withdrew his candidacy, citing fundraising difficulties.

RJ Harris, Independent

Since his presidential campaign didn't pan out, Harris ran for Congress again, but this time as an Independent. He came in third (5%), behind Congressman Cole (68%), and Democrat Donna Bebo (29%).

 2014:

RJ Harris, Democrat

Now, he's decided to run for Governor, and as a Democrat. So far, he is the only announced Democratic candidate.

The Daily Oklahoman newspaper writes that "Wallace Collins, chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, said Harris is a good candidate for the party and he supports his campaign."  I'll let that comment speak for itself.

The 2014 election is getting more and more interesting...

UPDATE: Gary Johnson will won't be on ballot in Oklahoma

Sooner State knocks Libertarian hopeful off ballot

By Patrick B. McGuigan | CapitolBeatOK

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Election Board removed the Americans Elect party from the November presidential election ballot Wednesday, effectively knocking out Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson.

The decision was made based on the advice of the state Attorney General’s Office.

Earlier this summer, the state Americans Elect party had designated a slate of presidential electors and named Johnson as its candidate, even as the national party’s directors spiked the group’s nationwide drive to provide an alternative to the two major parties.

Secretary of the State Election Board Paul Ziriax said in a statement sent Wednesday morning to CapitolBeatOK:

“You have previously asked me about the conflicting instructions the State Election Board received from the Directors of the Americans Elect party and a local group claiming to on act on behalf of the Americans Elect party. (The Board of Directors of the party instructs that the Americans Elect party will not field any candidates for President or Vice President, while the local group instructs that the party has chosen candidates for President and Vice President – the same candidates chosen by the Libertarian Party in other states.)”

Ziriax said Assistant Attorney General Neal Leader advised the Election Board that it “should not place the Americans Elect Party president and vice-presidential candidates or presidential electors on the November 2012 general election ballot in Oklahoma.”

Ziriax told CapitolBeatOK, “Our staff will proceed with our general election ballot preparations accordingly.”

In his 20-page analysis of the legal questions involved, Leader said the national group retained control of the party’s ballot line, and the national directors’ decision held in the state.

Richard Winger, editor of Ballot Access News, said Leader’s written opinion “contains no references to any court cases to justify his opinion.”

Winger contends the Election Board and Leader “have acted in a deceitful manner.”

Americans Elect gained ballot status in March after a successful petition campaign that enjoyed the support of David Boren, now president of the University of Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma effort began with fanfare in January, achieving success in March, after a Libertarian-organized drive fell short of the required signatures. Oklahoma is widely considered one of the most difficult states for ballot access.

Just weeks ago, local activists submitted electors to state officials, in support of Johnson, but on a parallel track the national Americans Elect party informed the Election Board it was abandoning its drive “in all states in which Americans Elect has obtained a ballot access line” with the “unanimous written consent” of the national group’s directors.

Contact Patrick McGuigan at patrick@capitolbeatok.com.

Exclusive: Conflict and Confusion - Will Gary Johnson be on Oklahoma's ballot?

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, erstwhile GOP-candidate-turned-Libertarian-Party-nominee, missed out on making the ballot in Oklahoma when the Oklahoma Libertarian Party failed to submit enough validated signatures to receive a ballot access. However, the story may not be over yet for Johnson and his Oklahoma Libertarian Party supporters.

Americans Elect successfully waged a ballot access campaign in Oklahoma earlier this year, with the intention of nominating a presidential candidate through their unconventional online voting process. The venture ultimately failed, as no candidate met their stated criteria, and thus the group did not nominate a candidate, after getting on the ballot in over 30 states.

All political parties had until August 8th to submit their nominees for president and vice-president (technically, they submit electors pledged to their party nominees).

On August 7th, Rex Lawhorn (Oklahoma state chairman of Americans Elect) submitted electors to the State Election Board for ballot certification. These electors were pledged to Gary Johnson for President and James Gray for Vice-President, the Libertarian Party candidates.

Americans Elect - State

But in a letter dated August 6th, the national Americans Elect organization wrote to the State Election Board intending to dissolve their status as a political party in Oklahoma.

Americans Elect - National

I contacted the State Election Board to ask some questions about the situation, and received a response from State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax.

"Attached are PDF scans of conflicting correspondence to the State Election Board from the national Americans Elect organization and an in-state group that says it is the Oklahoma chapter of Americans Elect. This is a very unusual situation, so we are seeking legal advice from our counsel at the Attorney General’s office about how to proceed," Ziriax told me in an email.

When there is an update to this story, I will post it.