Oklahoma's primary election locks out too many voters. It's time for a change. | Opinion

9 June 2025

By David High, published in The Oklahoman

David High, Oklahoma City

As a lifelong Oklahoman, I grew up admiring leaders like Henry Bellmon — public servants who put principle over partisanship and worked to move our state forward. For those readers who may be too young to remember Gov. Bellmon, he was a war hero and Oklahoma’s first Republican governor. He was widely admired and still celebrated today as a pragmatic leader who put education, infrastructure, and economic growth above party loyalty. He spent considerable political capital to pass an education reform package that reduced class sizes, increased teacher salaries, and made significant investments in early childhood education, despite fierce opposition from his own party. In short, he was a statesman who consistently acted in the best interests of the people of Oklahoma, rather than for his own political gain.

Today, leaders like him would not stand a chance in a primary election, not because they lack vision, integrity or experience, but because Oklahoma’s closed primary system forces candidates to pander to the most extreme voices in their party rather than appeal to the broader electorate. Instead of rewarding problem solvers, our system today encourages political survivalists — candidates who appeal to the loudest voices rather than the broadest coalition. It is no surprise that many of our most capable leaders choose not to run for office at all. The system has made governing secondary to partisan battles, and the result is a political landscape that prioritizes loyalty tests over meaningful leadership.

This is why we need State Question 836, a constitutional amendment proposing an open primary system that ensures every voter — not just registered Republicans or Democrats — has a say in who represents them. Instead of separate party primaries where a small percentage of voters effectively decide the outcome, SQ 836 would put all candidates on a single ballot, and the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, would move on to the general election. This simple change would force candidates to appeal to a broader audience, rather than just the most vocal partisan factions.

The consequences of our broken primary system are evident. Oklahoma’s voter turnout is among the lowest in the country because people feel disenfranchised — locked out of elections that are often decided long before November. When most races are effectively determined in low-turnout primaries, the general election becomes an afterthought, leaving independent voters and moderate voices unheard. This disillusionment has led to a growing disconnect between elected officials and the people they are supposed to serve.

SQ 836 is not a partisan issue — it’s a pro-voter issue. It ensures that every Oklahoman has a voice in every stage of the electoral process. It encourages candidates to build coalitions rather than simply appease party insiders. Most importantly, it restores accountability by ensuring that those who govern us must appeal to all the people they serve, not just a fraction of their party’s base.

If we want to make Oklahoma’s democracy great again, we must fix the rigged system that has created division and dysfunction. SQ 836 is a step toward bringing back the Oklahoma we once knew — a state where statesmen like Bellmon could thrive, where cooperation is rewarded, and where every voter has a say. The strength of a democracy depends on the ability of its people to participate fully, and Oklahoma deserves a system that works for all of us — not just a select few.

It’s time to put the people back in charge of our elections. The best way to do that is to support SQ 836.