Oklahoma Group Pushes For Open Primaries To Boost Voter Turnout

A group called Oklahoma United is advocating for a state question to change Oklahoma's election process, aiming to increase voter turnout.

Currently, Oklahoma holds closed primaries, meaning voters can only vote for candidates in their registered party. While state law allows parties to include independents, only the Oklahoma Democratic Party currently permits independents to participate in their primaries.

Oklahoma United's proposal would allow all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in primary elections.

The top two candidates, regardless of their political affiliation, would then advance to the general election.

The group must collect nearly 173,000 signatures to place the measure on the ballot.

“I believe the unified ballot is about more than opening up primaries. It’s about creating a democracy that reflects all of us—young people, older people, rural Americans, and African Americans in every Oklahoma community,” said Dr. Donnie Nero, an Oklahoma educator and supporter of the proposal.

Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell opposes the measure, calling it a “thinly veiled attempt to weaken Republican voters.”

Pinnell stated he hopes the current primary structure encourages independents and conservative Democrats to register as Republicans.