Libertarians look to first appearance on Oklahoma ballot in 16 years

WASHINGTON — The last time there was a Libertarian Party primary election in Oklahoma was 2000, when three Libertarians ran for corporation commissioner.

In that race, none of the three reached the threshold to win the nomination without a runoff. But the second-place finisher dropped out to save Oklahoma the expense of what would have been the only statewide runoff election.

That year was also the last in which the Libertarian Party appeared on Oklahoma's ballots. The party couldn't demonstrate enough support to maintain its status under Oklahoma law.

After a change in state law, some outside financial help and an all-out effort to gather signatures, the Libertarian Party is back.