By JORDAN EVANS
Staff Reporter
On March 21, 2016, the Oklahoma State Election Board announced that the Libertarian Party has been officially recognized.
The Libertarians compiled a total of 30,517 valid signatures, exceeding the 24,745 signatures required. This recognition allows for Oklahoma voters to register as members of the Libertarian Party, and candidates can now run as a Libertarian for all partisan state offices. This is the first time the party has been recognized in Oklahoma since 2000.
The party stated it will allow all registered Independent voters to participate in their primary and runoff primary elections.
As the third largest and fasted growing political party in America, the Libertarians believe in minimal government involvement in individuals’ lives.
“Each individual has the right to control his or her own body, action, speech, and property,” according to lp.org. “Government’s only role is to help individuals defend themselves from force and fraud.”
Those who want to change their political affiliation or register as a new voter in the Libertarian party can visit www.elections.ok.gov and fill out a Voter Registration Application.