Libertarian, Republican primaries remain closed
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Democratic Party notified State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax that it will allow Independents to vote in its primaries in 2022 and 2023.
The Libertarian Party notified Ziriax that it will close its primaries to Independent voters. The Oklahoma Republican Party did not send a notification to the Secretary, which by law means Independents cannot vote in Republican primaries.
“This means there is no change for unaffiliated voters in 2022,” Ziriax said. “As was the case in 2020 and 2021, Independent voters may vote in Democratic Party primaries but not in Republican or Libertarian primaries.”
Oklahoma is a closed primary state, meaning only registered voters affiliated with a recognized political party may vote in that party’s primary elections. However, state law gives a recognized party the option to open its primaries to registered Independents by notifying the Secretary of the State Election Board between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30 of odd-numbered years.
Under state law, because the Oklahoma Democratic Party decided to allow Independents to vote in its primaries, the deadline was extended to Dec. 15 for Libertarians and Republicans to make a final decision about allowing Independents to vote in their primaries.
Independent voters are not required to vote a Democratic primary ballot. Independent voters who would like to vote a Democratic primary ballot must request one when voting in person or when applying for an absentee ballot. Voters who have already requested absentee ballots for the 2022 election year can update their absentee ballot request online using the OK Voter Portal.
For more information about elections and voter registration in Oklahoma, visit the website oklahoma.gov/elections.