A Wyoming-based political group paused a cruise giveaway after questions emerged about compliance with Oklahoma election and lottery laws.
A political organization promoting Oklahoma candidates has temporarily suspended a sweepstakes offering a chance to win a cruise after legal questions emerged about whether the promotion complies with Oklahoma law.
According to reporting by Oklahoma Watch, MOGANetwork LLC, a Wyoming-based organization that describes itself as supporting “strong Godly leaders,” launched a website earlier this year offering entries into a drawing for a cruise valued at approximately $1,500. The promotion initially required participants to donate at least $50 through the site to qualify for the giveaway.
The group, whose name stands for “Make Oklahoma Grassroots Again,” claims status as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, allowing it to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money without publicly disclosing donors. Oklahoma Watch reported that dozens of candidates for legislative and statewide offices were featured on the website.
The promotion also highlights an unusual dynamic: MOGANetwork, short for “Make Oklahoma Grassroots Again,” is registered in Wyoming and operates through a business address that Oklahoma Watch reported corresponds to a diner in Sheridan, Wyoming. The out-of-state registration stands in contrast to the organization’s stated mission of supporting Oklahoma grassroots political activity.
Legal concerns surfaced over whether the sweepstakes met Oklahoma requirements designed to prevent promotions from being classified as illegal lotteries. Oklahoma attorney and historian Bob Burke told Oklahoma Watch that sweepstakes operators generally must provide a no-purchase-necessary method of entry from the beginning of a contest.
Oklahoma Watch reported that MOGANetwork later updated the website to include a free mail-in entry option for Oklahoma residents. Days later, the site displayed a message stating it had been taken offline temporarily while organizers addressed “compliance issues with Oklahoma statutes.”
Questions have also been raised about whether the giveaway could create campaign finance concerns. Oklahoma Watch reported that state ethics rules do not expressly prohibit political groups from conducting raffles but caution organizers to ensure such activities comply with criminal law.
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office told Oklahoma Watch that, as of late May, the agency had not received any complaints regarding the promotion.
Republican congressional candidate Marcie Everhart told Oklahoma Watch she was not contacted before being included on the website but supports the group’s mission of helping grassroots candidates. She argued the promotion could encourage small-dollar participation in campaigns and reduce the influence of large political action committees.
Meanwhile, James Davenport told Oklahoma Watch he could not recall a previous Oklahoma-focused effort that offered sweepstakes entries tied to campaign donations. He said the organization’s Wyoming registration and lack of transparency about its leadership are likely to fuel public skepticism.
“The way their organization is operating right now, it’s just going to encourage suspicion and distrust,” Davenport told Oklahoma Watch. “We have enough of that in our politics right now. We don’t need these organizations creating more of that.”
The website listed candidates from across Oklahoma races before being taken offline.
