OKLAHOMA CITY -- Sick and tired of their voices not being heard, a group of Oklahomans showed up at the State Capitol Monday Morning in effort to give voters another option on the ballot besides the traditional Democrat and Republican choices.
"We want to give them a chance for who they really want to vote for. In the past election, or the past two elections, people in Oklahoma could only vote for a Republican or a Democrat for President of the United States," said Clark Duffe with the Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform.
According to OBAR, the state requires 73,000 signatures to get a non-Republican or Democrat on the gubernatorial or presidential ballot; but if House Bill 1072 passes, that number would shrink to 5,000.
In an effort to help Republicans, Charles Key and Democrat Eric Proctor co-authored the bill.
"This isn't about Republican or Democrat; it's about Oklahomans and every Oklahoman having a chance to vote for the person they want to vote for," said Rep. Eric Proctor (D) Tulsa.
And even if a third-party steals a few votes, both lawmakers say it's worth it as long as the voice of the people is heard.
"If you don't have the ability to vote for who you want to, then your freedom is restricted about expressing your views through your government," Rep. Charles Key (R) Oklahoma City.
"It's the good ideas we want to get into the system and if we have the best ideas we think we'll grow," said Duffe.
Lawmakers hope to get a final version of House Bill 1072 on the House and Senate floors in the next couple of months.
"We want to give them a chance for who they really want to vote for. In the past election, or the past two elections, people in Oklahoma could only vote for a Republican or a Democrat for President of the United States," said Clark Duffe with the Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform.
According to OBAR, the state requires 73,000 signatures to get a non-Republican or Democrat on the gubernatorial or presidential ballot; but if House Bill 1072 passes, that number would shrink to 5,000.
In an effort to help Republicans, Charles Key and Democrat Eric Proctor co-authored the bill.
"This isn't about Republican or Democrat; it's about Oklahomans and every Oklahoman having a chance to vote for the person they want to vote for," said Rep. Eric Proctor (D) Tulsa.
And even if a third-party steals a few votes, both lawmakers say it's worth it as long as the voice of the people is heard.
"If you don't have the ability to vote for who you want to, then your freedom is restricted about expressing your views through your government," Rep. Charles Key (R) Oklahoma City.
"It's the good ideas we want to get into the system and if we have the best ideas we think we'll grow," said Duffe.
Lawmakers hope to get a final version of House Bill 1072 on the House and Senate floors in the next couple of months.
