Agricultural News
OCA's Michael Kelsey on the Importance of the Upcoming Election
Thu, 29 Oct 2020 12:06:08 CDT
With only a few days away from the November 3rd election, Michael Kelsey, executive director of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, says many essential things are on this year's ballot, including several state questions.
Associate farm director KC Sheperd caught up with Kelsey to talk about the election and also why the OCA is encouraging a NO vote on 805, "Its very important that OCA members pay special attention to this when they go to the polls we're asking to vote NO on state question 805."
Kelsey says the biggest reason for a No vote is that this particular vote would put 805 into the Oklahoma constitution. Still, he also says cattle theft is the most important thing to consider, "That's why the OCA was formed years and years ago because one of the primary reasons is cattle theft. So if you consider what 805 would do in lessening the court to consider previous action, previous behavior, regarding cattle theft in itself, that is just a huge red flag, and a no-go for us."
Kelsey went onto say that he considers cattle theft a violent crime and that SQ805 would forever make cattle theft a Non-violent crime, and Kelsey doesn't want that to be the case. Kelsey reminds us that it's not just the OCA which is asking for a no-vote, but a group of ag organizations, "If you look at the coalition, you've got some really strong, legacy type organizations that we are proud to partner with that understands the long term implications of a state question like this, so we encourage folks to consider the coalition against, to consider the fact that it modifies the constitution in a negative fashion in our opinion, consider what it does regarding tying the hands of the court if you will. I think once you do all those types of things, it's going to come to a pretty easy decision."
Kelsey does remind everyone how important it is to get out and vote because this is a crucial election, "Go to the ballot box and mark your ballot, that's the most important thing. Go Vote. It's just that impotant."
Aside from the election, the OCA has their fall gatherings coming up consisting of 12 meetings across the state, and Kelsey said the OCA members have voiced that they just want to get together, "Cattle people love to get together. We are independent as the day is long. Still, we want to get together and talk about important issues, talk about opportunities that we have in our businesses, even form relationships. we'll have folks start trading cattle at some of our meetings. So an opportunity to get together is just a great thing".
For more information on the fall gatherings, you can go to the OCA website at https://www.okcattlemen.org/, but he does ask that everyone register if they plan on going, "So we'll know how much food to throw in the feed trough." The gatherings are open to everyone and give everyone an opportunity for fellowship.
You can click or tap below to hear the complete interview with Michael Kelsey.
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