State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that he has been notified by the Oklahoma Democratic Party that it will allow Independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2024-2025 election years.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Republican Party notified the Secretary that it will keep its primaries closed to Independent voters.
The Libertarian Party did not formally send a notification; therefore, by default, the Libertarian Party primaries will remain closed as designated by state law.
More information about political parties is available on the State Election Board website.
Oklahoma is a closed primary state. However, every odd-numbered year between November 1 and November 30, all recognized political parties in Oklahoma must notify the Secretary of the State Election Board as to whether or not they will allow registered Independents to vote in their party’s primaries and runoff primaries during the next two election years.
If a party chooses to open its primaries, the deadline is extended to December 15 for the other recognized parties to respond or change their response.
The State Election Board reminds voters that whether voting in person or by absentee ballot, Independent voters must request to receive Democratic primary ballots. These cannot be automatically issued.
Voters who have already requested absentee ballots for the 2024 election year can update their absentee ballot request online using the OK Voter Portal.
Voters who would like to change their party affiliation should do so before April 1, 2024.
State law prohibits party affiliation changes April 1 through August 31 of even-numbered years. Party affiliation changes submitted during the closed period will be processed on September 1, 2024. Changes can be made online through the OK Voter Portal.

Henryetta area PSO customers are going to get an after-Christmas present in the form of a reduced bill in January.
According to Wayne Greene, PSO corporate communications officer, the reduction is on the fuel portion of all electric bills.
He explained the monthly bill of the typical residential customer who uses 1,100 kilowatt-hours per month will go down $15.53 or 11 percent.
The lower bills are the result of reduced natural gas prices and PSO’s investments in fuel-free generating facilities.
“Recent high fuel costs have been challenging for many of our customers, and we’re happy that lower prices and our investments in fuel-free power will ease those energy expenses,” said PSO President and Chief Operating Officer Leigh Anne Strahler. “In the world of commodity prices, what goes up, can come down. It did, and our customers are going to benefit.”

For a business to succeed it talks dedicated employees and American Exchange Bank recently recognized several team members who habe been a part of the financial institution for a number of years. AEB president Keith Hare presented the certificate of wards for employees who have been a part of the bank for the past five to 25 years .
Receiving awards were Angie Thomas and Julie stovall, both for five years; Corbet Witham for ten years and Kimberly Stoy for 25 years.

It may not be on the scale of Las Vegas, Calgary or other national rodeos but the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo is gaining national attention. Henryetta chamber member and one of the organizers of the 30-year-old rodeo, Tammie Hiatt, was recognized for her works as Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Outstanding Committee Woman of the year for 2023. She and hisband Mark, picked up the award at a special ceeremony held in Las Vegas this past weekend. Some 2,000 people were on hand for the awards ceremony.