Open primary supporters refile state question: What has changed?

OKLAHOMA CITY – Supporters of open primaries have refiled their initiative petition to clarify some concerns.

State Question 835 has been refiled as State Question 836.

“We are refiling our initiative petition out of an abundance of caution,” said Robert McCampbell, an attorney for petition supporters. “While SQ 835 was clear and legally sound, we don’t want to allow (an) opportunity for misinterpretation that could overshadow the real purpose of this initiative – ensuring every voter in Oklahoma has a voice in our elections.”

The new wording clarifies that the constitutional provisions do not impact the selection of presidential electors and ensures that the initiative only addresses the process for partisan primary elections at the state, county and federal levels.

More: Could Oklahoma switch to open primaries? State question draws criticism, support

Presidential elections would be unaffected.

The new language also clarifies that candidates will appear on the ballot identified by party registration. The old language used the term “affiliation.”

Supporters said they are confident the initiative petition will withstand any legal challenge.

What would change if the open primary state question is approved?

Under the proposal, Oklahoma primaries would be open to all voters with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election. Voters would only be able to choose one candidate for each office.

Supporters need 172,993 signatures to get the measure on the ballot. They are hoping to get it on the November 2026 ballot.

Oklahoma primaries are closed, but parties can choose to open them to independents. Only Democrats currently allow independents to vote in their primaries.

Many races are decided in the primary or primary runoff, leaving some voters with no candidate to pick in the general election, where voter turnout is higher.

Republicans control all Oklahoma congressional seats, statewide elected offices and the Legislature. The filing of the initiative petition was announced in November.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma open primary State Question 835 refiled: What’s changed

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