Straight-Party Voting Repeal Measure Fails

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, released the following statement after her legislation to repeal straight-party voting, House Bill 1016, failed the House Elections and Ethics Committee on Tuesday with a partisan vote of 1-4.

“This is an issue that was brought up time and time again on constituent doorsteps. We are one of only six states across the nation that utilizes the antiquated practice of straight-party voting. Oklahoma has the opportunity for a civics knowledge revival as democracy works best with an educated public, and I feel strongly that straight-party voting is a barrier to that opportunity.

“If we remove straight-party voting, I believe many folks will continue to vote along party lines, but they would at least do so while acknowledging each candidate equally.”