How SQ 836 Could Change Voting For Oklahomans In Primaries

Signatures are currently being collected across Oklahoma for State Question 836. Currently, Oklahoma has closed, partisan primaries, and SQ 836 seeks to establish an open primary system.

Vote Yes 836, which is the organization collecting signatures to get SQ 836 on the ballot, argues that the current voting system in Oklahoma is broken. According to the Vote Yes 836 website, Oklahoma's current voting system makes November elections "meaningless" due to elected offices already being filled after primaries and run-offs.

Oklahoma's current partisan voting system also disenfranchises voters, especially those who are Independents, from participating in primary elections, and dampens voter turnout.

An open primary would allow every registered voter in Oklahoma to vote in every election.

Vote Yes 836 states that the benefit of an open primary in Oklahoma would allow every voter to vote in every election; voters would not be barred from voting based on party.

Voters would be able to vote on any candidate, regardless of party. Candidates would be able to campaign with all voters, not just those registered within their party.

Oklahoma ranks last for voter turnout.

Municipalities in Oklahoma often struggle with low voter turnout, but so does the whole state. Oklahoma ranked 50th for voter turnout during the 2020 and 2024 November elections.

According to the Vote Yes 836 website, 86 percent of the state's "federal, state and county offices either had no general election or a general election that was rendered meaningless because there were not two major party candidates on the ballot."

Over 480,000 voters in Oklahoma are unable to participate in primaries or primary-runoffs because they are not registered with a political party on the ballot.

How to sign the initiative petition for Oklahoma SQ 836.

Volunteers with Vote Yes 836 are currently collecting signatures for the SQ 836 initiative petition. Vote Yes 836 is only collecting signatures from Oklahoma voters in person. Volunteers with Vote Yes 836 are collecting signatures at various events and locations throughout Oklahoma.

Vote Yes 836 has to collect 173,000 signatures by Jan. 26. More information about where to sign the initiative petition for SQ 836, visit the Vote Yes 836 website.

Election Rules Oklahomans Need To Know Before Voting

No one wants to be told no, especially on such an important day. Do yourself a favor and remember these rules before going to cast your ballot.

Gallery Credit: Dani

If Oklahoma Was A Candle, What Would It Smell Like?

I think it's fair to say that each place you can visit has a distinctive smell. That being said, I don't think you can just easily cram Oklahoma into just one candle. There are so many different places that are diverse and unique. It's a loaded question beyond what most people can answer. Instead, here are a few different candles to represent the places I've lived and traveled to in Oklahoma.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

Filed Under: Texoma News