The prelude to Election Day on Tuesday was a three-day early voting period that set an all-time August record in Tulsa County with 4,132 ballots cast.
The previous high was in August 2018, when the election was dominated by a showdown between Tulsa businessman Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett for the Republican nomination for governor. That early voting period drew 3,621 ballots.
Eight years later, a GOP governor runoff is again taking center stage. This time it’s between Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state lawmaker Mike Mazzei, both seeking the office termed out by Stitt.
While only Republicans can make that choice, there are other decisions to be made by all Oklahoma voters.
The Tuesday ballot includes political party runoffs, two state questions, city council elections and a 20-year franchise agreement with Oklahoma Natural Gas in the city of Tulsa.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. To find your precinct, head to the OK Voter Portal. For more information about what’s on the ballot, including stories about key races, go to the Tulsa Flyer voter guide.
Tulsa ballots will include the following, depending on party affiliation and location:
Political party runoffs
Republican
- Governor: Gentner Drummond vs. Mike Mazzei
- State Superintendent: Robert Franklin vs. James Taylor
- Insurance Commissioner: Bob Sullivan vs. Marty Quinn
- Labor Commissioner: John Pfeiffer vs. Kevin West
- State Senate District 34: Dana Prieto (incumbent) vs. Aaron Forst
Democratic
- U.S. Senate: Jim Priest vs. N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas
State Questions
State Question 844 would give legislators authority to reset reimbursements to local government entities paid under a manufacturing tax incentive program. School advocates say any possible reductions would hurt an already-strained education system. Supporters argue this is necessary to rein in a program that has become expensive with growing incentives for data centers and wind farms.
State Question 846 would enshrine voter identification in the Oklahoma Constitution. Voter ID is already a state law. Advocates say this would ensure election integrity. Opponents say the wording expands legislative power for future lawmakers to restrict or modify what identification would be acceptable.
Tulsa City Council
Six out of nine council seats are on the ballot, with incumbents Laura Bellis, Christian Bengel and Phil Lakin Jr. automatically winning reelection because they did not draw a challenger.
Find your district here. Read our full coverage of the council races, including takeaways from our candidate forums, here.
- District 1: Vanessa Hall-Harper (incumbent), Thomas Moore, Corinice Wilson, Reggie Williams Jr. and Mareo Johnson
- District 2: Anthony Archie (incumbent) vs. Aaron Bisogno
- District 3: Jackie Dutton (incumbent) vs. Tanisha Bowen
- District 5: Karen Gilbert (incumbent) vs. Adam Burnett
- District 7: Lori Decter Wright (incumbent), Kenny Wogoman and Dave Perry
- District 9: Pete Regan, Shawn Tiemann and Ben Johnson
Franchise agreement
Tulsa voters are asked to approve Ordinance No. 25782 to give ONG, a subdivision of ONE Gas Inc, a 20-year, non-exclusive franchise. If approved, it would allow ONG to use city streets, easements and other public rights-of-way to transport, distribute and sell natural gas to the general public.
The agreement does not determine rates residents and businesses pay for natural gas. Part of the agreement allows for the collection of a franchise fee, with 100% of funds going back to the city. Officials then decide how to use the money to maintain and enhance corridors.
The ordinance going before voters would increase the fee from 3.1% to 4% of gross receipts and will raise about $1.4 million in additional funds. Those are expected to pay for accessibility improvements, sidewalks, street and highway lighting and maintenance of medians.
Tulsa’s first franchise agreement with ONG was in 1903, and the last one was approved in 2011 with 75% in favor.
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