There are 149 seats in the Oklahoma Legislature.
And usually, they are all huddled there at the state Capitol building, planning their next move. However, this year only 147 are there because the state has two vacancies.
Most seats are held by Republicans. But yes, there are a few Democrats in both houses asking difficult questions. Our members say they come from diverse backgrounds; some pride themselves on conservative values. All of them claim to work on behalf of their fellow Oklahomans.
Which isn’t – at times – a necessarily good idea.
Still, members of the Oklahoma Legislature will tell you they are focused on what they need to do. They will tell you they are responsible for the state’s budget and the vast majority of public policy that becomes state law.
And yes, here in the Sooner State, of our three branches of government, the Legislature remains the top dog, the branch with the most power.
But that’s not necessarily a good thing. Lately, we’ve seen lawmakers who believe they would be better at running the state’s higher education system than the professionals who are charged with that task. There are also some elected officials who want to outlaw compassion and help, and a few who seek to punish those individuals who don’t fully embrace Christianity.
These examples don’t represent the idea of good government. Instead, they are a bright example of raw power. An example of demanding that the public believe a certain way or say a certain thing. An example of the public doing what it is told to do – without any questions or challenges.
Each year, the Legislature meets for about four months to craft a state budget and develop laws to protect and benefit the public. That’s been the goal for the past 119 years.
Some years, we do well. But during other years – such as 2026 – the guys with the good ideas are regularly being shouted off stage. It’s time to change that.
This year is an election year. It’s an opportunity for those registered voters to make their voices heard. Instead of voting because of fear or contempt, voters should go to the polls to choose someone who is smart and thoughtful – who understands what government should and should not do. Those choices matter.
This fall, the people of this state will choose a new governor, a new set of state officials, and new members of the Legislature.
Make those choices wisely – because the future of this state and its people depend on those votes.
M. Scott Carter is an award-winning political and investigative reporter with more than 40 years’ experience covering federal and state government and politics in Oklahoma. He can be reached at scott.carter@swoknews.com.