Read OKUnited Intern & Recent OU Grad Yvonne Galvan's 9/29/23 Op-Ed in The Oklahoman

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DAILY OKLAHOMAN OP-ED: Oklahoma United Intern Yvonne Galvan

Friday, 9/29/23

Registering to vote in the state of Oklahoma is easier now thanks to an online portal that serves all Oklahomans. Until recently, a voter registration form had to be physically filled out and mailed to a county or state election board.

"Registering to vote in the state of Oklahoma is easier now thanks to an  in the United States in 2020, voter turnout is still at record lows throughout the country. Our particular part of the country, Oklahoma, had the lowest voter turnout (about 55%) of all the states for the 2020 presidential election. This means that a very small percentage of Oklahomans are deciding the outcomes for 100% of us. A representative democracy is designed to represent the needs and values of all citizens, not a handful ..."


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Tulsa World OP-Ed: OKlahoma United Intern Kimberlee Wilson

Sunday, 9/17/23

"If you’ve ever looked at the headlines and thought to yourself, “What the heck is going on?” you’re not alone. I’m right there with you.


Have you thought, said or heard the phrase: “My vote doesn’t matter.” I hear this phrase from all sides of the political spectrum.


Republicans feel as if their votes don’t matter because the current primary system heavily favors their party, so there’s really no reason to participate. Democrats feel as though their votes have no weight at all due to their lack of representation in state government. Independents and Libertarians often share the same sentiment because they have few or no choices ..."


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"The U.S. has a 'primary problem" - NPR, 9/18/23

Most state and federal primary elections in the U.S. are divided up by political party, and many are only open to voters who are members of a party.

Reform-minded advocates and many political scientists say this system is not working. They say relatively small numbers of voters are selecting their nominee — often in a district or state that leans strongly toward one party, so whoever wins the primary cruises to victory in a general election.


The group Unite America underscores what it terms the "primary problem" with this finding: In 2020, "only 10% of eligible Americans nationwide cast ballots in primary elections that effectively decided the winners in a supermajority (83%) of Congressional seats."


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Join us.

Oklahoma is dead last in voter participation.

It's time to repeal closed primaries so that all eligible, registered voters have a voice in our elections. It's time to Unmute Oklahoma.

Map of Oklahoma and "Oklahoma is not okay"

Watch our Oklahoma City July 11, 2023 town hall panel!

It was standing room only at The Press in Oklahoma City, where everyone enjoyed burgers, beers, and a robust discussion about how opening the primaries could help solve the chaos, and division in Oklahoma politics. The energy in the room was electrifying, and we're looking forward to hosting many more evenings like this around the state. Our guests were from different political persuasions, but everyone agreed that repealing closed primaries is the right thing to do for the future of our state.

The issues confronting our state are not partisan issues.

Oklahoma is at the bottom of too many national metrics:


  • Last in all of the US in eligible voter turnout 
  • 48th in Health Care
  • 44th in Poverty 
  • 49th In Education
  • 43rd Overall Ranking in “Best States” 


The problems we have in Oklahoma are not partisan. Neither are the solutions.


"It feels to us, that for an independent voter to be funding an election but not able to vote in it, it's just wrong. I’m a registered Republican and I still think that’s wrong. We have a bipartisan support element from all of our contributors and supporters."


 - Margaret Kobos, Founder & CEO, OKUnited

94% of Oklahoma elections are decided in the primary.

  • According to a Pew Research Center study, Oklahoma had the lowest voter turnout in the country in the November 2020 election - with only 54.8% of eligible voters voting 
  • Independent voters, the fastest-growing segment of the electorate (with nearly 20% registered in Oklahoma), are excluded from voting in closed partisan primaries they help fund with their tax dollars 
  • Open primary systems foster collaboration and bridge-building in the service of finding solutions 
  • Check out this opinion piece in Newsweek byJeremy Gruber, Senior Vice President, Open Primaries (OpenPrimaries.org) “One Simple Change to the Primaries Could Make Our Politicians Better” 
  • Voter participation is restricted and division is reinforced in a closed primary system
  • Elected officials are accountable to a broader group of constituents, not just the extreme voices in a party

Join us to help Unmute all Oklahomans.

a good and informative time was had by a packed house at our july burger night & town hall in Oklahoma City!

Watch "Open the window"

Ranked 49th in education, Oklahoma could sure use some fresh air.

Please donate to help us repeal closed primaries in Oklahoma. Any amount helps!

DONATE NOW

RECENT NEWS ABOUT OPENING THE PRIMARIES IN OKLAHOMA

Check out this July 12, 2023 story by Payton May with KOKH Fox 25 in Oklahoma City! Find more OKUnited news here.

The Oklahoman, sunday, july 16, 2023

Sign up to show your support for a ballot initiative to repeal closed primaries in Oklahoma.

Join us

Independent voter news, july 20, 2023

“We’re finding common ground and the right solution that everyone can support ..." Margaret Kobos

Unite America SOLUTION SERIES

New report shows that Top Two nonpartisan primaries are improving California politics

June 8, 2023 - A new report from the Unite America Institute on top-two nonpartisan primaries in California finds that the reform has had positive impacts on electoral politics and governance. While the vast majority of states have experienced a decline in electoral competition and a rise in polarization in recent years, California has trended in a much better direction since reforming its primaries. Analyzing the state across several criteria, the report presents evidence that Top Two in California has decreased polarization, improved voter participation, and increased electoral competition.


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WATCH "DEAD LAST"

Oklahoma is dead last in eligible voter participation. 

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we hear you, OKlahoma!

We've heard from thousands of Oklahomans, and they want change!

Check it out! Watch the highlights from the UnmuteOK campaign launch. Do you want to see us in person?  Can you volunteer? Email info@ok-united.org and tell us where and when we can meet you in the middle.

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