Nearly 500,000 Oklahoma voters are registered as Independents…
…and we can’t vote in the most important elections.
Oklahoma voter registration, by party
Recent News
Every election year, Oklahomans are told that November is when our voices matter most. But when we examined the data — race by race, year by year — a very different reality emerged:
On the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a new civic community called Oklahoma Independents officially launched today, calling attention to what organizers describe as voter suppression facing hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma voters who are not affiliated with either major political party.
Last week, the Oklahoma State Election Board announced that no political party in Oklahoma had filed the paperwork necessary to allow Independents to vote in party primary elections for 2026-2027.
What Independents are saying…
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"I've been an Independent voter for nearly 10 years because I feel like both major parties have lost their way. I want my voice to be heard, and I believe that having open primaries would result in higher turnout, better representation, and ultimately better policy that reflects the will of the people."
Andy Moore
Oklahoma City -
"I'm a registered independent because a healthier democracy depends on better elections, and elected officials of all stripes should be accountable to all voters."
Effie Rorke
Oklahoma City -
"Oklahoma’s closed primary system leaves registered Independents without a guaranteed path to participate in elections that matter most. We pay the same taxes and share the same the civic responsibilites as our party members. This reality is both frustrating and unacceptable in a state that values fairness and representation. It is time to open our primaries to all Oklahoma voters regardless of political affiliation!”
Lise Inman
Tulsa -
"I’m registered Independent because I vote ideas, not party labels. In Oklahoma, primaries often decide our leaders, and too many voters are shut out. I back open primaries so every taxpayer can help choose who makes the ballot—rewarding practical solutions over party extremes."
Danielle Ezell
Oklahoma City