Oklahoma United has proposed an amendment to replace closed primaries with an open primary system. The petition for State Question 835, if approved, would allow voters to decide on the change in November 2026, as reported by OKC FOX.
The current political system requires voters to choose a specific party in order to participate in the primaries. While some states allow independents to vote in the Democratic primary, they are typically excluded from the Republican primary. According to Tulsa World, this setup has led to a sense of political division, with many voters feeling disconnected or powerless. Supporters of State Question 835, meeting at the Oklahoma History Center near the Capitol, advocate for a primary system where all voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote from the same group of candidates.
State Question 835 proposes an open primary system for Oklahoma, where all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, appear on the same ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the General Election. Advocates, including Margaret Kobos, founder and CEO of Oklahoma United, believe this approach offers a solution to the state's current partisan primary system, arguing it would promote more inclusive and representative democratic participation. They contend that the existing system encourages excessive partisanship. Kobos emphasized, "We vote for the person we think is best for the job, in every race, no matter how we are registered." Now, it is up to Oklahoma voters to decide whether to approve the measure, which could significantly reshape the state's primary elections. The initiative, rooted in the belief that "This is an Oklahoma solution to an Oklahoma problem," will be determined by the people, as stated by KOCO.
