4th December 2024
By Caedmon Brooks, published in The Pawnee Chief
I am tired of hearing that Oklahomans are dead last in the nation for voter turnout, and I’m guessing your readers are too. We have to turn this ship around so that more voters — especially young voters — feel they can participate in our democracy and cast a meaningful vote. One effective way to achieve this is by reforming our primary election system to adopt open primaries by supporting State Question 835.
Open primaries, as proposed by SQ 835, would allow more taxpayers to vote in elections
funded by their own tax dollars, including registered independents who currently lack a voice in primary elections. This reform would require candidates and elected officials to focus more on serving the public instead of catering to special interest groups.
Open primaries have the advantage of making it harder for extreme candidates on either side of the political spectrum to dominate elections. The result? Leaders more dedicated
to solving real issues instead of promoting divisive rhetoric.
A great example is the mayoral election process used throughout much of the state. In towns where mayors are elected, the mayoral election appears on the ballot, all candidates appear on a single ballot, regardless of political affiliation. Every voter—Republican, Democrat, or Independent— sees the same names. This system has fostered a more solution-oriented political environment in municipal governments. This means they are much less likely to be consumed by the nationally driven, partisan hot button issues that often consume our state legislature.
Open primaries are exactly what Oklahoma needs to move forward. Civic engagement is declining - less than 20% of our electorate routinely elects more than 80% of our elected officials in closed primary and closed run-off elections.
It’s time to empower more Oklahomans to participate in shaping our state’s future—ensuring that leaders truly represent the needs of all, not just a select few.