The Oklahoma Democratic Party is working with the State Election Board to ensure independent voter access to its primary ballot after the board "blindsided" the party and said all primary elections would be closed in 2026 and 2027.

Nearly half a million independent voters in Oklahoma will be blocked from participating in the state’s primary and runoff elections for 2026 and 2027 — a decision that’s sparked frustration and finger-pointing between political leaders.

Republican voters in House District 35 cast ballots in a special primary election Tuesday, but they'll have to do it again in January.

A Democratic Party spokesperson said party officials voted in June to continue with open primaries and notified the Election Board of that decision in early August. According to a press release from the Democrats, the party did not receive further communication on the matter between then and Wednesday’s announcement from the Election Board.

The election isn't until next year, but Mark Faulk, Harry Meister, Alex Warren, and Wendy Jo Hampton, are already running for OK County commissioner.

The Oklahoma Election Board's recent announcement that none of the political parties will have open primaries has the state's Democratic Party challenging the decision.

The State Election Board Secretary announced on Wednesday that all primaries will remain closed for the 2026-2027 election years.

Nearly half a million Oklahomans registered as Independents will be unable to vote in primary elections for the next two years. Some Independent voters have decided to switch parties to continue voting in the primary.

No candidate secured a majority in the GOP primary for Oklahoma House District 35, sending Dillon Travis and Mike Waters to a Jan. 13 runoff.

Independent voters in Oklahoma will not be able to participate in primary elections for the 2026-2027 election cycles, the Oklahoma State Election Board announced Wednesday.

Oklahoma's recognized political parties are keeping their primaries closed, according to State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax, because no political party