Supporters of a top-two primary system in Oklahoma are pushing for an initiative petition to allow voters to decide whether to abolish and the replace the currently practiced primary system.
According to an article in the Oklahoma Voice, the proposed system would feature a single primary ballot with all candidates and their respective party affiliations listed. It would also eliminate the need for a primary runoff. The top two candidates would then advance to the general election. The specific details of the initiative, such as whether it will be a statutory change or a constitutional amendment, are still under discussion.
As described, the system would be similar to what is already practiced in places like California and Washington.
In the article, Oklahoma United CEO Margaret Kobos argues that such a system would create a fairer electoral system and ensure greater accountability to all voters than just party members. She believes it would increase voter participation, especially among independents and younger voters. In contrast, opponents to the idea, which include Tulsa County Republican Party Chair Ronda Vuillemont-Smith, counter that parties should retain the right to select their nominees and that closed primaries maintain the integrity of their internal processes. Interestingly, Vuillement-Smith points to a hypothetical scenario where two Republicans proceed to the general election as an example of why the system shouldn’t be implemented.
Although Oklahoma Libertarians are briefly mentioned in the article regarding their primaries being closed to independent voters, no individual associated with the party is quoted, nor is the party’s stance on the issue referenced.
Editorial note: The term “open primary” as used in the article has been adjusted to align more closely with its conventional definition. With thanks to Richard Winger.
Agreed with many that top two is anti democratic to its core. Ranked choice voting is the best option for free and equal elections. Too many Independents are left out of the race simply because the system is rigged against fair and equal opportunity and service by those that have fresh new ideas, perspectives and wish to see the Oklahoma Public SERVED by their candidates not funded by mega donors, dark money and political favors !
A deeper look at the numbers, however, shows that overall participation in a presidential election fell for the first time in 12 years. In 2024, about 64% of registered voters in Oklahoma cast ballots for president, down from 69%. This suggests that even though more people signed up to vote this year, that enthusiasm didn’t translate to more participation on Election Day.
QUOTE: It’s the lowest turnout since 2012 when Barack Obama won a second term in office. That year, only about 63% of voters went to the polls. (Source: Dale Denwalt / The Oklahoman)
Low turnout and down ballot voting BLIND is killing Oklahoma Voters and Ranked Choice with relaxed rules on who gets on the ballot versus 35,000.00 or 35,000 signatures (Presidential Election) is what we need to truly have FREE, FAIR AND EQUAL ELECTIONS !
The ones opposing this are part of the TWO PARTY STRANGLEHOLD !
I’d like to see a ‘ranked choice’ type system, as that WOULD give 3rd parties a much better chance for reasons that have been more than well discussed in other contexts…. It also seems to be a better way to have voters express their desires in general.
The proponents of Top Two were callinh it Open Primaries way back in 2004 when this scam started. I was in California working on petitions back in 2004 and I got offered money to work on a Top Two Primary ballot initiative petition. I picked up a copy of it and read it, and after I realized what it did, as in that ut would make it very difficult for minor party and independent candidates to make it onto general electuon ballots, I refused to work on it and I never gathered any signatures on it. Fortubately that one did not pass, but in 2010 the California legislature put it in the ballot un the June primary and it passed that time.
The title of this blog post uses the term “open primary” improperly. “Open primary” has been defined in political science textbooks and several U.S. Supreme Court opinions as a system in which each party has its own nominees and its own primary blalot, but a voter on primary day is free to choose any party’s primary ballot. But the proposal in Oklahoma abolishes party primary ballots. The supporters of that idea have started calling their idea an “open primary” because it sounds better, but we shouldn’t let them get away with misusing language that way.
California-style Top Two is exactly what is proposed. The reporter called me for the story but then didn’t use anything from me in the story, which is particularly frustrating as the group promoting this is marketing Top Two as open primaries and no distinction is being made that it’s not the only way an open primary may be accomplished.
I hope the citizens of Oklahoma reject this proposal.
Sounds like California’s Top Two system, which effectively prevents any third party from appearing on the November ballot.