In The Know: Low turnout remains a staple for OK's August elections | Stitt seeks April vote on constitutional convention | Oklahoma can bring dark money into the light

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: Oklahoma can bring dark money into the light   Oklahoma voters this election cycle have been bombarded with outrageous political mailers, turning elections into a contest of sensational attacks — and it’s time we demand something simple: if someone spends thousands to influence our votes, we deserve to know who’s paying for it. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] Take Our Quick Online Survey Share this link with your friends and family in Oklahoma! 535,545   The number of Oklahomans who voted on State Question 846 on Tuesday. About 7,000 fewer voted on SQ 844, even though both questions appeared on the same ballot. While the state questions drew the most votes on the ballot, turnout was nearly 100,000 lower than it was for State Question 832 in June, continuing the trend of lower participation in runoff elections. [Oklahoma State Election Board] Low Turnout and High Cost in primary runoffs, 1994-2024   Primary runoffs are used in 10 states when no candidate meets a required vote threshold, but they consistently draw far fewer voters than the first round. Since 1994, 97 percent of congressional runoffs have had lower turnout, and 2024 saw the steepest decline yet, with a median 63 percent fewer voters participating. Runoffs also cost taxpayers millions, often produce winners who receive fewer votes than they did in the initial election, and can encourage more negative campaigning. Ranked-choice voting is often proposed as an alternative that determines majority preferences in one higher-turnout election. [FairVote] "Voting means equality for everybody. If you don’t vote, you don’t have no say."   — Ora Lee Williams, a Tulsa voter, sharing why she makes a point to vote in every election. [Tulsa Flyer] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma sees uptick in voter turnout for 2026 runoff elections: Major races for statewide offices, plus two state questions, attracted higher-than-usual voter turnout for Tuesday’s runoff elections. Nonpartisan state questions, open to voters of any party, received the greatest number of votes Tuesday. [Oklahoma Voice] Low turnout remains a staple for Oklahoma’s August elections. See how state and local races fared [Tulsa Flyer] Turnout for Tulsa City Council elections remains low [Tulsa World] Citing 56-year delay, Stitt seeks April vote on Oklahoma constitutional convention: The Oklahoma Constitution specifies that voters should be asked every 20 years whether to hold a constitutional convention, a question that has not appeared on state ballots since 1970. After a proposal to comply with the requirement passed the House but stalled in the Senate this spring, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive proclamation late Tuesday — before runoff polls closed — to set an April 6, 2027, election on the issue. [NonDoc] Stitt move creating Oklahoma ballot measure is illegal, critics say [Oklahoma Voice] Stitt calls on Oklahoma voters to decide if they want a constitutional convention [KOSU] Gov. Stitt calls special election for constitutional convention [KFOR] Opinion: Oklahomans deserve right to decide on constitutional convention [Caedmon Brooks / The Oklahoman] State Government News   Oklahoma to receive $235 million in Meta teen safety settlement: In a case claiming the company knowingly exposed children to serious mental harm, Oklahoma and several other states have reached a settlement with social media giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. [The Oklahoman] Meta to pay 47 states up to $17.1B in landmark child safety settlement [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma to receive over $230 million in Meta settlement [KOSU] Meta agrees to $235 million settlement in Oklahoma to add child safety limits on Facebook, Instagram [KOCO] Long Story Short: Youth Prevention, Debating Education and Governor Ad Blitz (podcast): Breaking down a new state initiative aimed at curbing childhood substance abuse, detailing key takeaways from a fact-check of the final GOP state superintendent runoff debate, and examining recent political ad campaigns circulating in the race for governor. [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   Active court order still blocking Trump effort to restrict vote-by-mail: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday handed a procedural victory to President Donald Trump on an executive order to curb mail-in voting, but the administration is still fighting a separate ruling that limits a portion of the order and remains in effect — complicating the administration’s temporary win. [Oklahoma Voice]   The Trump administration is shifting funding for HIV prevention. Vulnerable Oklahomans could suffer: Direct funding to community-based organizations will not be renewed for the first time in several decades. Instead, the CDC has made supplemental funding for HIV prevention available to state and local health departments. Eligible applicants are encouraged to support community-based organizations, but it isn’t mandatory. [OPMX & StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Tribal Nations News   How a Chickasaw composer is tackling language revitalization through classical music: Jerod Tate, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, began composing more than three decades ago. One of his latest works, Ko'koom'fena, is sung entirely in the Shawnee language. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Trump loomed in OK governor's race, but voters largely swung moderate: While the night’s headline race was a squeaker, voters delivered decisive decisions up and down the ballot, including a rejection of more lawmaker control over school funding and nominating an experienced Republican educator to lead the state’s school system over a Ryan Walters-like challenger. Voters also booted far-right incumbents from a couple of state legislative seats. [The Oklahoman] ‘He needed all of it’: How Mike Mazzei’s millions helped deliver a narrow victory [The Frontier] Tense Oklahoma GOP governor race ends with Trump's pick advancing [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Senate could be less divided after Freedom Caucus losses [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma voters oust two incumbent Senate Republicans. Third lawmaker barely advances [Oklahoma Voice] Education Watch: Franklin Wins GOP Runoff for Superintendent [Oklahoma Watch] Editorial: Let's choose a governor for Oklahoma, not a political party: Most of us have experienced complicated and frustrating issues with one electronic device or another. At some point it's just relaxing and refreshing to push the reset button. And after a long primary election process featuring a highly contentious battle between Republican candidates for governor, it is time to clear the screen for the general election ahead. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]   Justice System News   Another pastor appointed to OK County Criminal Justice Authority: The nine-member Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority has nine members again, another northeast OKC pastor. [The Oklahoman]   Man sentenced to prison for fatal shooting in Tulsa: A man who shot two people in 2025 in Tulsa, killing one, has been sentenced to prison. [Tulsa World]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   “It Literally Saved My Life”: Norman’s A Better Way Program Will Be Shut Down: The city of Norman sought new funding from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office to continue A Better Way, a project intended as an alternative to panhandling. The request was ultimately denied. The project is now being shut down at the end of August, further strangling Norman’s homeless support services as the crisis deepens. [Oklahoma Watch]   Local Headlines Voters approve funding measures in Creek, Ottawa counties and Bixby [Tulsa World] Tulsa City Council’s District 9 expects a lot. Pete Regan says he’s ready to listen [Tulsa Flyer] Norman City Council rejects resolution in support of OTA interchanges [KOSU] Large water leak creates headaches in El Reno [KOSU] Support Our Work with a Donation In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org okpolicy.org    Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe.

In The Know: Election results; voters split on two state questions | SNAP changes create ‘traffic jam’ as Oklahoma works to cut error rate | Families struggle with rising utility costs

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Oklahoma voters rejected SQ 844, approved SQ 846   For SQ 844, lawmakers now need to use the regular legislative process to address problems with the state’s manufacturing property tax exemption. They should not shift these costs onto schools and local communities.   For SQ 846, the focus is now on accountability. Oklahomans should watch the upcoming legislative session as lawmakers create new voter ID rules. It is important to make sure these changes do not harm eligible voters.   We are not finished with state questions. Two more constitutional amendments will be on the Nov. 3 ballot, including proposals about local property tax revenue and Oklahoma's judicial nominating process. OK Policy will share fact sheets and other resources soon.  Take Our Quick Online Survey Share this link with your friends and family in Oklahoma! 54.2%   The share of Oklahoma women who vote on average — below the national average of 60% and ranking Oklahoma 44th in the nation. [America’s Health Rankings] Today (August 26) is Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment and women’s constitutional right to vote. The 19th Amendment, Explained   The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920 after decades of organizing by generations of suffragists, prohibited states from denying the right to vote on the basis of sex and marked one of the largest expansions of voting rights in U.S. history. But its promise was not realized equally: Black women and other women of color continued to face poll taxes, literacy tests, discriminatory citizenship laws, English-language barriers, and other forms of voter suppression for decades afterward. Many Native American women, for example, were not recognized as U.S. citizens until 1924 and still faced state-level barriers to voting. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its later language-access protections were essential to making the amendment’s guarantee more meaningful, underscoring that constitutional voting rights require strong, enforceable protections to be fully accessible in practice. [Brennan Center for Justice] “If you want to have a voice in what happens, you have to use that voice by voting.”   — Becky O’Neal, an Edmond voter, shares why she made it a priority to cast her ballot in Oklahoma’s August runoff election. Voter turnout in Oklahoma is often low, and this election was no exception — but every election gives Oklahomans an opportunity to make their voices heard. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma News   Voters split on state questions State Questions: Voter ID amendment approved, property tax reform rejected [NonDoc] Oklahoma voters approve voter ID state question; reject tax exemption change [Fox 25] State questions: Oklahomans OK voter ID issue, reject SQ 844 on tax exemption reimbursements [Tulsa World] SQ 844 fails Voters reject State Question 844 affecting payments to local governments [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma voters say no to State Question 844, leaving tax revenue payments for local government bodies unchanged [Tulsa Flyer] Voters reject state question 844 in Oklahoma's runoff election [The Oklahoman] SQ 846 passes Oklahomans add voter ID requirements to state constitution [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma passes voter ID state question in August runoff election [The Oklahoman] Voter ID requirements now in Oklahoma constitution with passage of State Question 846 [La Semana via Tulsa Flyer] State Government News   Oklahoma touts arrests in SNAP fraud crackdown across 5 counties: Oklahoma authorities say they have arrested at least 12 people accused of collectively defrauding $150,000 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. [The Oklahoman] SNAP changes create ‘traffic jam’ as Oklahoma works to cut error rate [KFOR] From OK Policy: “Work requirements” won’t work for Oklahoma Federal Government News   Trump's plan to lower beef prices could cost Oklahoma producers long-term: The Trump Administration is taking another stab at importing beef, and local farm groups say the move threatens to dampen a bright spot in the agriculture economy. [KOSU]   U.S. Supreme Court lifts pause on Trump mail-ballot order: With just over two months until the November midterms, the U.S. Supreme Court gave way Monday for President Donald Trump to have a hand in regulating mail-in ballots nationwide, a voting method he has falsely claimed is rife with corruption since he lost the 2020 presidential election. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump, McMahon promote school voucher program as students return to class: President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday touted a national private school voucher program set to launch in early 2027. They lauded the incoming federal school choice effort along with many of the education policies the administration has pursued, including ongoing efforts to dismantle the 46-year-old Education Department. [Oklahoma Voice]   Are major Medicaid cuts mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act scheduled to take effect after the 2026 Midterm Elections?: Yes. Multiple analyses indicate that the largest Medicaid cuts and many implementation dates are set for the end of 2026 or later; significant changes take effect after the midterms. [Oklahoma Watch] From OK Policy: The Big ‘Beautiful’ Delay: How a Republican Congress rigged the federal megabill (2025) Voting and Election News   Election Roundup   Gubernatorial & Summaries ‘Edge of your seats’: Trump support propels Mike Mazzei past Gentner Drummond [NonDoc] As Voters Back Political Newcomers, Mazzei Secures GOP Nomination for Governor [Oklahoma Watch] Mazzei thanks Trump for his support, clinches Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial nomination [Oklahoma Voice] Trump-backed Mazzei defeats Drummond in Republican bid for Oklahoma governor [Tulsa Flyer] GOP voters favor Mazzei for governor [Tulsa World] Trump’s Pick Wins a Closely Contested Oklahoma Primary for Governor [New York Times] Mazzei claims GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor, voters consider state questions and more [Public Radio Tulsa] Recap: Who won in the Oklahoma runoffs? See results of governor's race, more [The Oklahoman] Five takeaways and surprises from Oklahoma's runoff elections [The Oklahoman] What drew Oklahomans to polls today? Voters urge locals to use their voice [The Oklahoman] Congressional & Statewide N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas wins U.S. Senate runoff, becomes Oklahoma’s first ‘democratic socialist’ nominee [NonDoc] Thomas wins Democratic runoff, will face Kevin Hern in US Senate race [The Oklahoman] Democrats pick Thomas as U.S. Senate candidate to challenge Kevin Hern in November [Tulsa World] Who took the cake in Oklahoma runoffs for labor, insurance, U.S. Senate and state Senate District 34? We round up the results. [The Tulsa Flyer] Statewide offices: Franklin, West, Sullivan advance to general election [Tulsa World] State Superintendent of Schools ‘Ready for a comeback’: Robert Franklin tops James Taylor for Republican state superintendent nomination [NonDoc] Robert Franklin wins GOP runoff for Oklahoma state superintendent [Oklahoma Watch] Robert Franklin takes Republican nomination for Oklahoma state superintendent [Tulsa Flyer] Longtime educator Robert Franklin takes Republican nomination for Oklahoma superintendent [KGOU] Insurance Commissioner & Labor Commissioner  ‘Not a lapdog’: Bob Sullivan wins GOP insurance commissioner runoff [NonDoc] Sullivan wins Oklahoma Republican insurance commissioner primary [Oklahoma Voice] Sullivan advances to November election in insurance commissioner race [The Oklahoman] Kevin West wins GOP runoff for Oklahoma commissioner of labor [NonDoc] West wins labor commissioner runoff, heads to general election [Oklahoma Voice] Kevin West wins GOP runoff election for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner [The Oklahoman] State House and Senate Oklahoma Senate runoffs: Freedom Caucus cofounder Prieto ousted, incumbent Stewart loses seat [NonDoc] Oklahoma House runoffs: Rep. David Smith survives, 2 others decided, 6 advance [NonDoc] Forst defeats Prieto in Tulsa County state Senate showdown [Tulsa World] Local Bartlesville, Noble voters pass multimillion dollar school bond packages [KOSU] Oklahoma County: Jason Lowe wins reelection in District 1, Jessica Clayton wins District 3 runoff [NonDoc] Lowe wins Democratic runoff for Oklahoma County commissioner District 1 [The Oklahoman] Clayton wins GOP nomination for Oklahoma County District 3 Commissioner [The Oklahoman] Tulsa City Council: Pete Regan wins D9, Vanessa Hall-Harper, Corinice Wilson head to D1 runoff [NonDoc] Anthony Archie wins District 2 race to represent west Tulsa for a second term [The Oklahoma Eagle] Incumbent Jackie Dutton secures second term to represent northeast Tulsa on council [La Semana via Tulsa Flyer] Karen Gilbert defends her Tulsa City Council District 5 seat in a win against attorney Adam Burnett [Tulsa Flyer] Vanessa Hall-Harper to face Corinice Wilson in runoff for Tulsa City Council District 1 race [Tulsa Flyer] Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper to face challenger in November runoff election [Tulsa World] Lori Decter Wright wins fourth reelection bid to Tulsa City Council [Tulsa Flyer] Pete Regan takes open midtown seat on Tulsa City Council [Tulsa Flyer] Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Norman homeless work program ends due to lack of funding: A program to help the homeless in Norman get back on their feet has come to an end. The City of Norman’s A Better Way – Opportunity Knocks (ABWOK) program ended this month due to a lack of funding. [KFOR]   Economy & Business News   She got an electric bill for $1,373. She's not alone: Around the country, electricity prices have been climbing faster than the overall cost of living, according to the Labor Department. That's especially expensive in the hot summer months, when fans and air conditioners are running around the clock. A Tulsa woman recently launched a petition on Change.org, calling on Oklahoma regulators to crack down on soaring power bills. [NPR] Tulsa bakes in high temperatures and high electric bills [NPR] Local Headlines Piedmont delays decision on data center; neighboring city opposes proposal too [KFOR] Former assistant city manager sues Bixby [Tulsa World] El Reno schools closed Wednesday as city hunts for water leak [The Oklahoman] Support Our Work with a Donation In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org okpolicy.org    Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe.