The Oklahoma Supreme Court is reviewing State Question 836, which would change the state’s primary elections. If approved, all registered voters could vote in one primary, no matter their party. The top two candidates would move on to the general election. This would include Independent voters, who currently cannot vote in Republican primaries. The proposal came after the 2024 general election, as reported by OKC FOX.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is reviewing State Question 836, which has raised questions about how it would change the state’s primary elections. According to OKC FOX, the wording on the ballot describes it as an "open primary" system, but the exact details are still being reviewed by the court.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court heard arguments about State Question 836, a proposal that opponents say violates the First Amendment. Benjamin Sisney, representing the Oklahoma Republican Party, argued, "Our central argument is this… forces political parties to associate with candidates they don't support, while the party's name is being used to declare something to the voter the party does not wish declared." Justice Dana Kuehn questioned whether the court should act before voters decide, saying, "You're today asking us, before any process has happened, to take away… that very important constitutional provision," as mentioned by KOSU. The court has not yet made a decision.
