Group fails to collect signatures for Oklahoma ballot, plans new effort

The Sooner State Party will try again to become the state's fourth recognized political party after falling short in their initial signature drive.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Sooner State Party, a new political group in Oklahoma, failed to gather the required 35,000 signatures by the deadline to qualify as the state's fourth recognized political party. However, the group says it will try again starting on November 16 after falling just a few hundred signatures short in its initial effort.

Why it matters

The formation of a new political party in Oklahoma could provide more options for independent and moderate voters who feel underrepresented by the current two-party system. The state's political landscape has been dominated by Republicans and Democrats, so the emergence of a viable third party could shake up the status quo.

The details

The Sooner State Party was formed in July 2026 with the goal of giving a voice to independents and more moderate Democrats and Republicans. The group failed to collect the required 35,000 signatures by the deadline last month, missing the mark by a few hundred. However, the party's acting chair, C.J. Webber-Neal, says they will start the signature drive again on November 16 in hopes of qualifying for the next election cycle.

  • The Sooner State Party was formed in July 2026.
  • The deadline to qualify the party for the upcoming election was last month.
  • The group will start the signature drive again on November 16.

The players

C.J. Webber-Neal

The acting chair of the Sooner State Party.

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What they’re saying

“We won't be able to be on the ballot for this election cycle, but we can start again on November 16.”

— C.J. Webber-Neal, Acting Chair, Sooner State Party (Oklahoma Voice)

“We're just tired of the political system. It did not seem like, given the current political climate that was here in the state of Oklahoma, that anything was really being done, and it was more fighting, either between the two parties, or even inner party fighting.”

— C.J. Webber-Neal, Acting Chair, Sooner State Party (Oklahoma Voice)

What’s next

The Sooner State Party will begin a new signature drive on November 16 in hopes of qualifying as Oklahoma's fourth recognized political party for the next election cycle.

The takeaway

The failure of the Sooner State Party to qualify for the ballot this cycle highlights the challenges faced by third parties in the current two-party political landscape. However, their determination to try again shows a desire for more political options and representation for independent and moderate voters in Oklahoma.