The OWL Party of Washington was a minor political party founded in a tavern and jazz club, the Tumwater Conservatory, in Tumwater, Washington, to field candidates in the 1976 elections.
The party was established in part as a sarcastic, humorous protest against over-reach of the Washington State liquor laws, which at the time forced closure of taverns during primary elections. The jazz club's tavern was exempted from forced closure because it was the site of the political convention that established the OWL Party (by law, the new party's convention had to be convened on the day of the primary election). A further part of the protest was that patrons of the club were later listed on the state's official election ballot, openly expressing criminal intent for seeking office in their campaign statements (for the most part, their plans to abscond with public funds if elected).
The OWL Party of Washington, a quirky and unconventional political entity, emerged from the vibrant atmosphere of a jazz club, the Tumwater Conservatory, in Tumwater, Washington, during the 1976 elections. Founded by the charismatic entertainer Red Kelly, who also happened to be the owner of the establishment, the party aimed to inject a dose of humor and eccentricity into the political landscape, as well as to impel a change in the state's laws.
It was founded by entertainer Red Kelly, owner of the establishment where it was founded. The party's name was a double acronym, standing for "Out With Logic, On With Lunacy", and its motto was "We don't give a hoot!"[1] The ease with which this frivolous party gained access to a place on the ballot led the state's legislature to significantly increase the difficulty of minor-party access. The changes were challenged, ultimately for the most part unsuccessfully, by established minor parties such as the Socialist Workers Party.[2]
The party's name, OWL, was more than just an avian reference. It cleverly doubled as an acronym, representing the slogan "Out With Logic, On With Lunacy." This playful motto, coupled with the party's declaration of "We don't give a hoot!" reflected its lighthearted and non-conformist approach to politics. The OWL Party of Washington sought to challenge the seriousness and predictability often associated with traditional political discourse, as well as to protest the intrusive liquor laws that sought to force its closure on the day of the primary election.
One distinctive aspect of the OWL Party's inception was its unorthodox birthplace — a jazz club and tavern. The Tumwater Conservatory, with its musical and eclectic atmosphere, provided the perfect backdrop for the creation of a political party that aimed to break away from convention. Red Kelly's role as both an entertainer and the proprietor of the OWL Tavern likely contributed to the party's unique character.
Despite its seemingly frivolous nature, the OWL Party managed to navigate the political landscape and secure a place on the ballot for the 1976 elections. The legally mandated access of parody to the state's official election pamphlet[3] clearly demonstrated the absurd ease with which an ostensibly 'bad' political party could be created under the existing state laws. The relative ease with which this unconventional party gained access to the electoral process, however, had broader implications: It forced the Washington State Legislature to re-evaluate and subsequently increase the barriers for minor-party access to the ballot. It is less clear whether / how effective the OWL Tavern's protest was in the easement of the state's intrusive liquor laws.
The legislative response to the OWL Party's foray into politics suggests that the state government felt threatened by the prospective disruption arising from unorthodox political movements. In an attempt to safeguard the gravity of the electoral process, lawmakers implemented measures to raise the threshold for minor parties to participate in elections. The changes were not without controversy and sparked legal challenges, notably from established minor parties like the Socialist Workers Party.
The legal battles that ensued, including challenges to the increased requirements for minor-party access, culminated in U.S. Supreme Court proceedings.[2] The outcome of these legal challenges had far-reaching implications for minor parties, influencing the regulatory landscape governing their participation in the electoral process.
The OWL Party of Washington, though perhaps initially seen as a whimsical and ephemeral phenomenon, left a lasting mark on the state's political history. Its brief yet impactful existence prompted legislative changes that shaped the dynamics of minor-party involvement in elections. The party's legacy, intertwined with legal challenges and U.S. Supreme Court proceedings, serves as a testament to the complex interplay between humor, eccentricity, and the serious business of politics.