Libertarian Party certified as political party in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Libertarian Party is now certified as an official political party in the state of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma election officials on Monday confirmed the group gathered more than 30,000 valid signatures from registered Oklahoma voters, more than enough to certify as an official party in Oklahoma. The group needed 24,745 signatures to be recognized as a political party.

The recognition means citizens can run as members of the Libertarian Party for all partisan offices in the state.

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax (ZEER'-iks) says the Libertarian Party also will receive a line on the November ballot for president and vice president.

Under current law, the top Libertarian candidate on the November ballot needs to get at least 10 percent of the vote for Libertarians to remain a recognized party.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

The Gayly- 3/21/2016 @ 2:40 PM CST