COMMENTARY
straight party voting
(Mike Allen)

Straight party voting is a feature of Oklahoma’s electoral process that many people would like to see eliminated — many people who are not Republican elected officials, of course. Currently, many Oklahomans mark a “straight party” designation at the top of their ballots, just as they have for many decades. The main difference now, however, is which party holds the dominant advantage in party allegiance.

For this year’s general election, more than 481,000 Oklahomans selected a “straight party” ticket, which means they did not cast selections for individual races, except for judicial positions. Of the 481,000 Oklahomans who chose the convenience of marking one line at the top of their ballots instead of more than a dozen lines across the full ballot, nearly 70 percent were Republicans and about 29 percent were Democrats. That accounted for about 41.7 percent of all votes cast Nov. 8.

In 2020, about 45.5 percent of voters utilized straight party voting. In 2018, about 40 percent of electoral participants voted straight party. The year before that, the rate was closer to 34 percent. That means, in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial elections, the straight party voting trend has been increasing.

As a casual observer, it certainly seems that straight party voting requires less thought, effort, time and physical activity. It always has, and it always will, until the ballot option is eliminated. With last week’s election results heavily favoring Republicans — who control the Legislature — straight party voting likely will not be repealed any time soon, unless there someone pursues a citizen-led petition.

As you might predict, the way these things work is that what used to be good for one party is now good for the other. I am told that vague recollection around the Oklahoma State Capitol holds that, 30 or 40 years ago, when Republicans were in the minority and pushing to eliminate straight party voting, some members of the Democratic majority argued that the option was important for seniors who might be frail and frustrated by a long ballot. I’m not sure what argument Republican politicians make now to defend the practice, but I’m sure it’s just as self-interested.

Oklahoma, of course, is one of only six states in the country that has retained straight party voting this long. If only filling out ballots were as fun as attending a kegger, it might spur more people to oppose straight party voting.

Past Sundaze comics

An ‘I voted’ sticker is the prize for enduring all these ads
Halloween can be a tough time to mind your diet
Answer the question? The art of political dodgeball
How hideous can the Ugly Season get before it’s over?
Down goes Dumpty: OKC Egg Church has a great fall
Many options for brand synergy in the OKC film industry
This season includes new adventures in OU tailgating
SQ 820: Don’t bogart that initiative petition, my friend
Appreciating a brief splash on OKC’s art timeline
New OKC arena proposal benefits from public discussion
Burn it down: Sun exacts revenge on Earth
Project Carrot: Oklahoma weighs battery plant options
Gov. Kevin Stitt asks Auditor Cindy Byrd for a TPS report
Epic affidavit makes for light reading over lunch
Recognize the old man’s wisdom this Father’s Day
What would convince Markwayne Mullin to debate?
Overtime: The match continues with special sessions
Professor Swadley and the cheese-melting machine
Call me Tag Agent: In Catoosa, a replacement steps up
Where Mother’s Day comes sweeping down the plain
It’s a tough life being ‘The Patriot’
Frugal rabbit worried about the price of eggs
‘Resistance is futile’: Beware of the Borg in election year
Oklahoma’s mysterious case of The Winchester Burger
Night owls want daylight saving time to be permanent
The power of bitcoin mining in Oklahoma
Does Holland have a snowball’s chance for the Senate?
David Holt rides wave of popularity to reelection
Oklahoma winter weather drifts in and out of our lives
Tom Brady retirement talk: Goodbye to the GOAT?

  • Mike Allen

    Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.

  • Mike Allen

    Mike Allen is a graphic designer, painter, printer and tailor. He has a fine art degree from the University of Oklahoma.