Let the People Vote: What I Learned Talking About Open Primaries at the Fair

24 November 2025

By Tom Dial, Vote Yes 836 volunteer, Tulsa

I spent a few days at the Tulsa State Fair this fall, walking around with a turkey leg in hand and talking with folks about State Question 836—the proposal to create open primaries in Oklahoma. Between bites, I had some great conversations with fellow Oklahomans from all walks of life.

Most people I talked to—Republicans, Democrats, and independents—liked the idea right away. They want elections that give everyone a voice, not just a narrow group of partisan voters. But a few others, mostly longtime party stalwarts, were nervous. Their main concern wasn’t about voters—it was about what would happen to their political parties.

That’s understandable, but it’s also the wrong worry.

The Real Crisis: Nobody’s Voting

Oklahoma ranks dead last in the nation for voter participation. In the 2024 general election, just 53 percent of eligible Oklahomans cast a ballot. That means nearly half of the people in our state didn’t vote at all.

And that’s the general election—the one most people think of when they imagine democracy at work. The truth is, in Oklahoma, the general election is usually a formality. By the time November rolls around, most races have already been decided in the primaries—and those primaries are closed to independents and most voters.

What do I mean by “most races”? Here’s some data: In 2024, out of the 445 offices filled statewide, only 7 – or less than 2% -- had an election decided by 10 points or less in a general election. All other races were decided before a November general election (at filing, in a primary or primary run-off) or in a general election blowout.

In those primaries and primary run-offs, as few as 3 to 5 percent of voters actually decide who wins a seat. That means a tiny sliver of the population—usually the most partisan voters—ends up choosing the officials who represent all of us.

That’s not how democracy is supposed to work.

Why We Already Trust Open Elections

Open primaries aren’t a radical idea. We already use them for city and local elections, and they work just fine. Everyone gets a say, the best candidates rise to the top, and voters feel like their voices matter.

So why not do the same for state offices? Under SQ 836, all candidates for an office would appear on a single ballot, and every voter could vote for whoever they think is best. The top two finishers—no matter their party—advance to the general election. Simple, fair, and open to everyone.

Answering the Fairground Fears

At the fair, a few folks had questions that come up a lot:

• Question: “What if one party dominates both top spots?” Then that’s who voters chose. The goal is giving power to voters, not preserving party turf.

  
  

• Question: “What if people cross over to sabotage another party’s race?”

  Remember, under SQ 836, there isn’t a Republican, Democrat or Libertarian primary. Unlike the Texas model, a Democrat couldn’t request a Republican ballot. SQ 836 proposes that everyone appears on one unified ballot, a “people’s primary.” No tricks, and no partisan primaries to “sabotage.”

  
  

• Question: “What if one party splits the vote among too many candidates?”

  Then that party needs to recruit stronger, better-organized candidates. Open primaries reward leadership and ideas, not labels.

  
  

Putting Voters First

Open primaries would make officials accountable to all voters, not just to party insiders. They’d boost participation, simplify elections, and eliminate costly runoffs that most people skip.

And for those worried about their party losing influence—SQ 836 doesn’t weaken parties; it strengthens them. A formal party endorsement would actually matter again. Candidates would have to earn that support and stand up for their platform in front of all voters.

The Bottom Line

Our problem in Oklahoma isn’t that political parties might lose power—it’s that people already have.

When half our citizens don’t vote, and when just a handful decide who gets elected, we can’t pretend our system is working as it should. State Question 836 is about restoring fairness, choice, and accountability to the people who pay for these elections—every Oklahoma taxpayer.

You can learn more or sign up to help gather signatures at VoteYes836.com.

Let’s make sure every Oklahoman has a voice in every election. That’s something worth standing up for—even with a turkey leg in hand.