Oklahoma’s biennial moratorium on switching political party affiliation is fast approaching. Tuesday, March 31 is the deadline to request a party change ahead of the June primary and August runoff elections. Requests received from April through August won’t be processed until Sept. 1. The state has long enforced the rule in even-numbered years to prevent […]
Keaton Ross
Posted inNews
Gubernatorial Candidates Rely on Personal Money to Launch Campaigns
Mike Mazzei, Charles McCall and Chip Keating have loaned themselves a combined $7.6 million ahead of the June 16 primary election. Unlike individual contributions, state ethics rules don’t cap self-funding.
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Bill Filing Deadline Approaches
The clock is ticking for lawmakers to submit their policy proposals for 2026. Thursday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. is the deadline for House and Senate members to introduce bills and joint resolutions before the Legislature convenes on Feb. 2. Rank-and-file House members are limited to eight bills per session, while House majority leadership and […]
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Political Parties Opt to Close Upcoming Primaries
For the first time in a decade, registered independents will be barred from voting in all partisan primaries for the next two years. The Oklahoma State Election Board announced on Dec. 10 that the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties did not file the necessary paperwork to open up their primaries to independents in 2026 and […]
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Former Corrections Director Approved Million Dollar Deal With AI Company, Then Went to Work For Them
Former Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Steven Harpe approved a million-dollar deal with a private vendor in early April to install AI call monitoring software in seven state prisons.
Posted inState
Oklahoma Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Initiative Petition Bill
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments over the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1027, the sweeping legislation enacted in May that imposes several requirements on initiative petition organizers. The high court’s ruling will shape the future of voter-led ballot initiative campaigns in Oklahoma, which have brought criminal justice reform, legalized medical marijuana and Medicaid expansion to the state over […]
Posted inState
State Question 836 Campaign Begins Gathering Signatures
Proponents of State Question 836 launched their signature gathering effort on Wednesday, with hopes of qualifying for the ballot in 2026.