Shane Cory doesn't see things in black and white - or, more appropriately, in red or blue.

Cory prefers to think of politics in terms of choice, rather than directions such as left and right.

As executive director of the Libertarian Party, Cory is spending several days in Oklahoma, trying to raise residents' awareness of a statewide movement for ballot access reform.

In 2004, voters in Oklahoma had two choices for president: John Kerry and George W. Bush, a Democrat and a Republican respectively. In fact, Oklahoma was the only state in the union offering only two choices.

"The Libertarian Party looks at our republic much in the way the founding fathers, who were, by far, more libertarian than anything, did -- smaller government, fewer taxes, more freedom," said Cory. "It is our opinion that the people are sovereign over their republic, and the government is there to protect from invasion and provide for the constituency."

Cory said Libertarians, like any movement, have different spectrums of belief, but are bound by a common commitment to social tolerance and fiscal responsibility.

"For instance, Libertarians view the environment as a property-rights issue," he said. "If someone is dumping chemicals on your property, you should have full access to the courts to seek redress. The current state in which Americans live - giant government - means it will take a long time and progression of events to make the changes necessary."

Cory indicated Libertarians have had a beef with Oklahoma for a long time, and believe residents deserve the myriad choices available to people in other states.

"The bad part is Oklahomans are faced with the same situation in the upcoming 2008 elections, if things don't change quickly," he said. "We want to open the race up to competition. Isn't it a bit un-American to lock ourselves into a two-party system? While, of course, we would like to see a Libertarian on the ballot, fair ballot access is about offering people all kinds of choices, from the Libertarian Party to the Green Party to the Reform Party."

Right now, a political party seeking to form in Oklahoma must obtain registered voters' signatures equal to 5 percent of the total vote in the last general election. The Libertarian Party attempted to achieve ballot access in 2004, but fell short.

"The magic number is about 45,000 signatures," said Cory. "Even if we obtain those 45,000 signatures, we would have to get 10 percent of the vote in the next general election to maintain recognition."

Cory is working closely with Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform, a grassroots coalition of "Oklahomans working for fair laws that give voters genuine choices."

Cory indicated there is growing excitement in the state for such reform.

"But the state [Libertarian] party has been exhausted over the past several years," he said. "They're viewing 2008 as their last, best effort, their one last shot at change. One of the reasons I'm here is to try and hold things together to affect that change. Good or bad, we're [national organization] going to be here for them."

Cory recognizes ballot access reform is an uphill battle. In June, the state Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a case challenging current ballot access laws, which include provisions that new political parties face extraordinary barriers in getting on the ballot.