Push to create open primaries in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — There's a new push to make primary elections in Oklahoma open for all parties and voters, regardless of their political affiliation.
Currently, those affiliated with a party can vote in that specific primary. Independents cannot vote in the Republican or Libertarian primaries, but can vote in Democratic primaries.
The initiative is a push to include all voters.
"All voters will matter. All voters get more choices. Candidates will compete and they are accountable to all of us," said Margaret Kobos, Oklahoma United Founder.
State Question 835 would create open primaries for key elections in the state and it would allow all Oklahomans, regardless of party affiliation, to vote in primary elections.
"As a result of this closed system, the June primary elections have a less than 20% turnout and August runoffs generally less than 10% of the voters participate," said AJ Griffin, a former Oklahoma state senator.
Oklahoma United said there are over 480,000 independents registered in the state and the number continues to grow.
They believe the current closed primary system, is limiting a lot of voters.
"For the first time, all Oklahoma voters will be able to vote in every contested primary race. The two candidates with the most votes will go on to the general election. And, of course, the candidate with the most votes in the general election wins," said Kobos.
The push for an open primary system only impacts statewide, county, and both state and federal legislative offices.
It would, not impact the presidential primary.
Races that involve mayors, judges, and school board seats don't have partisan primaries, so the new initiative wouldn't impact those races.
"Candidates would be incentivized to address the needs and concerns of the whole electorate," said Julie Knutson, CEO of the Oklahoma Academy.
There is some opposition to the initiative.
"I don't really see the sense that you would allow people outside of the republican party to vote in our primaries," said Stan Stevens, the Executive Director OKGOP.
Some believe an alternative to allow everyone to vote is by getting rid of a primary—and only having a general election.
"Then if you need a runoff after that, because nobody got 50% in this race or that, we can do that," said Chris Powell, OKLP Chair.
Trey Orndorff, a political science professor, explained while the idea is to give everyone a vote regardless of party affiliation, there are some downsides to State Question 835.
Orndorff said one downside is that two members of the same political party could end up going head to head.
The other affects how people can vote.
"Nothing is going to stop republicans from voting for democrats or democrats and voting for republicans and vice versa, or independent voters from voting in any party primary they want to," said Trey Orndorff, a political science professor.
The Governor will have to set a date for when Oklahomans can vote on it.
If everything goes as planned with gathering signatures and getting them validated, it would most likely end up on the ballot in November of 2026.