Oklahoma Democrats will allow Independents to vote in their 2024 elections

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Democratic Party will allow Independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2024-2025 election years, State Election Board Paul Ziriax said.

Ziriax said while the Democratic Party notified him of its action to open to Independents, the Oklahoma Republican Party notified him it will keep its primaries closed to Independent voters.The Libertarian Party did not formally send a notification; therefore, its primaries will remain closed as designated by state law.

Oklahoma is a closed primary state. However, every odd-numbered year between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30, all recognized political parties in Oklahoma must notify the Secretary of the State Election Board if they will allow registered Independents to vote in their party’s primaries and runoff primaries during the next two election years. If a party chooses to open its primaries, the deadline is extended to Dec. 15 for the other recognized parties to respond or change their response, under state law.

The State Election Board reminds voters that whether voting in person or by absentee ballot, Independent voters must request to receive Democratic primary ballots. These cannot be automatically issued. Voters who already have requested absentee ballots for the 2024 election year may update their absentee ballot request online using the OK Voter Portal on the state election board website.

Voters who want to change their party affiliation should do so before April 1. State law prohibits party affiliation changes April 1 through Aug.t 31 of even-numbered years. Party affiliation changes submitted during the closed period will be processed on Sept. 1, 2024. Changes can be made online through the OK Voter Portal.

Information is available at the Oklahoma State Election Board website at okahoma.gov/elections.html.