Creek, Osage, Pawnee and Tulsa counties Aug. 25 ballots include runoffs, state questions
Voters in Creek, Osage, Pawnee and Tulsa counties will decide statewide primary runoff races and two proposed constitutional amendments Aug. 25. Some Tulsa County voters will also have legislative runoffs, while Creek County voters will consider a county sales-tax proposition.
Republican voters will choose between Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei for governor.
Robert Franklin and James Taylor are competing for the Republican nomination for state superintendent of public instruction.
The Republican runoff for labor commissioner features Kevin West and John Pfeiffer. Bob Sullivan and Marty L. Quinn are seeking the Republican nomination for insurance commissioner.
Democratic voters will choose between N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest for the party’s nomination for U.S. Senate.
Some Tulsa County Republican voters will also have legislative runoff races on their ballots.
In state Senate District 34, Dana Prieto faces Aaron Forst for the Republican nomination. In state House District 9, Scotty Stokes faces Crystal Campbell for the Republican nomination.
All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote on State Questions 844 and 846.
State Question 844 would change how Oklahoma reimburses schools, counties and other local entities for property-tax revenue lost through an exemption offered to qualifying new or expanding manufacturers.
The state currently reimburses local entities for revenue lost when a qualifying manufacturer receives a property-tax exemption. If approved, State Question 844 would require the Legislature to establish reimbursement levels and the method used to calculate payments.
The proposal does not specify what those reimbursement rates or methods would be.
A “yes” vote supports giving the Legislature authority to establish the reimbursement system. A “no” vote would leave the current constitutional reimbursement structure in place.
State Question 846 would add a voter-identification requirement to the Oklahoma Constitution.
The amendment would require voters to provide proof of identity when using any voting method in an election administered by a county election board or the State Election Board. The Legislature would determine what identification is acceptable and establish the requirements through state law.
A “yes” vote supports adding the identification requirement to the Constitution. A “no” vote opposes the amendment.
Creek County voters will also decide whether to make permanent an existing countywide one-third of 1% sales tax used for roads, bridges and highway-system improvements.
Voters approved the tax in 2016 for a period not to exceed 10 years. Its revenue may be used to construct and maintain county roads and bridges, improve the county highway system and pay related county debt.
A “yes” vote would continue the tax without an expiration date. A “no” vote would allow the existing tax to expire. The proposition would continue an existing tax rather than add another one-third of 1% to the current county salestax rate.
The races appearing on an individual ballot will depend on the voter’s party affiliation and election district. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 25.