Oklahoma Election 2026: Candidates, State Questions and Voting Guide
Oklahoma Election 2026: Governor's Race, State Questions and What Voters Need to Know
The Oklahoma election 2026 takes place Tuesday, November 3, with voters choosing a new governor, a U.S. senator, statewide officials and members of Congress while deciding two proposed constitutional amendments. Polling places across Oklahoma will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with voters who are in line by closing time permitted to cast their ballots.
The general election includes competitive statewide races, judicial retention questions and local proposals that vary by county. Among the major issues are State Question 845, which would change Oklahoma's judicial selection process, and State Question 847, which would lower certain property assessment growth limits. Oklahoma County voters will also consider a proposed sales tax related to construction of a new county jail.
Oklahoma Election 2026 Features Governor, U.S. Senate and Statewide Races
Oklahoma voters will select a new governor as Republican Mike Mazzei faces Democrat Cyndi Munson and independent candidates Robert Brooks, Orlando Lynn Bush and Jerry Griffin. Current Governor Kevin Stitt is completing his second term and cannot seek reelection because of Oklahoma's term limits.
Mazzei, a former state senator, has emphasized fiscal policy and government spending. Munson, a former state representative, has focused on education, healthcare and affordability. The candidates offer differing approaches to state budgeting, public services and economic policy.
The U.S. Senate race features Republican Kevin Hern, Democrat N'Kiyla Thomas, Libertarian Sevier White and independent candidates Ron Meinhardt and Curtis Stinnett. The winner will serve a six-year term representing Oklahoma in Washington.
Voters will also decide several other statewide offices. The lieutenant governor's race features T. W. Shannon and Kelly Forbes, while the attorney general contest includes Jon Echols and Nick Coffey.
The state superintendent race includes Robert Franklin and Jennettie Marshall. Other offices on the ballot include state treasurer, labor commissioner, insurance commissioner and corporation commissioner.
Oklahoma's five congressional districts will elect representatives to the U.S. House, while legislative contests will determine representation in the Oklahoma Legislature. The specific congressional and legislative races appearing on a voter's ballot depend on their registered address.
For additional information about statewide candidates and election issues, KOSU's Oklahoma election coverage provides reporting on the races and policy questions facing voters.
Two Oklahoma State Questions Address Judicial Selection and Property Taxes
Two proposed constitutional amendments will appear on ballots statewide, with each requiring approval from a majority of voters casting ballots on that question.
State Question 845 would change the structure and membership rules of Oklahoma's Judicial Nominating Commission, the body responsible for screening applicants and recommending candidates for certain judicial vacancies.
The proposal would update congressional district references, allow certain attorneys and relatives of attorneys to serve on the commission, remove existing political party balance restrictions and revise membership terms and reappointment provisions.
A yes vote would approve those changes, while a no vote would preserve the current constitutional provisions. The debate centers on how the commission should be structured and what safeguards should govern the judicial appointment process.
State Question 847 addresses limits on annual increases in the assessed fair cash value of property for taxation purposes. The proposal would reduce the existing growth cap for most real property from 5% to 4%, while lowering the cap for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 1.75%.
The measure would also revise the existing senior property valuation freeze by introducing income-based limits that could range from zero to 1.75%.
A yes vote would approve the proposed assessment limits and senior valuation changes. A no vote would retain the existing constitutional rules.
Lower assessment growth limits would not automatically guarantee lower property tax bills because tax rates, exemptions and other factors also influence the final amount owed.
The Oklahoma State Election Board's official state question information provides ballot titles and supporting documents for voters reviewing the proposed amendments.
Judicial Retention, Local Questions and Election Day Voting Information
Oklahoma voters will also decide whether to retain nine appellate judges through nonpartisan judicial retention elections. These contests ask voters to select yes or no rather than choose between competing candidates.
The judges appearing on the statewide retention ballot include Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices M. John Kane IV, Travis Jett, Dana Kuehn and Richard Darby; Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Rob Hudson; and Court of Civil Appeals Judges Stacie Hixon, Jane Wiseman, Deborah Barnes and Jim Huber.
A yes vote supports retaining the judge for another term, while a no vote opposes retention. A judge who does not receive majority approval would leave a vacancy to be filled through Oklahoma's judicial selection process.
Local election questions will vary by county and municipality. In Oklahoma County, voters will consider a proposed sales tax intended to help finance construction of a new county jail. The proposal raises questions about construction costs, long-term financing and the effect of additional sales taxes on residents.
Other communities may have school district, municipal or county measures on their ballots.
For those planning to vote Tuesday, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Oklahoma requires voters to present acceptable identification, such as a qualifying government-issued photo ID or a county election board voter identification card. Voters who cannot provide the required identification may be eligible to cast a provisional ballot using the state's identity affidavit procedure.
Because this is a general election, voters may select candidates from any political party regardless of their own registration. Oklahoma does not permit Election Day voter registration, and the registration deadline for this election was October 9.
Absentee ballots returned by mail must arrive at the county election board by 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 3. The deadline to hand-deliver an absentee ballot is the close of business Monday, November 2.
Voters can use the official Oklahoma Voter Portal to verify registration, locate their assigned polling place and review a personalized sample ballot before heading to the polls.
From choosing Oklahoma's next governor to deciding constitutional changes involving judicial appointments and property taxation, Tuesday's election will shape state leadership and public policy for years to come. Voters are encouraged to review their complete ballots before polls close at 7 p.m.
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