20th November 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) - A state question was just filed that, if passed, would shake up Oklahoma’s primary election process and possibly the state’s electoral outcomes.
Currently, Oklahoma’s primary elections are considered to be semi-closed, which means only registered political party members can vote in their party’s primary.
But if this state question passes in 2026, all candidates would appear on the same primary ballot and all voters would be able to have a vote.
The top two candidates would then move on to the general election, regardless of their party.
The founder of Oklahoma United, the group leading the charge for the question’s passing, said the move would force politicians to become more moderate.
“And it is going to require and motivate all candidates to find out what the people in the middle really think,” said Margaret Kobos, founder of Oklahoma United. “You know, what really matters to the people on the street corner, and the small business person opening up a new coffee shop. Those are the people they will really have to start listening and going door to door to door and asking questions.”
This newly filed state question has received push back from Republicans in Oklahoma government who say this is simply an attempt to weaken Republican voters.
If the question gets enough signatures, it will appear on the ballot in 2026.