Oklahoma Democrats to make it official: Open primaries to Independent voters

OKLAHOMA CITY – A letter formally notifying the State Election Board that Independents will be allowed to vote in Democratic primaries will be signed next week.

The event, entitled "Welcome to the Party," will be held next Monday, Nov. 16 – Oklahoma Statehood Day – at 9 a.m. in Room 206 at the State Capitol.

The letter will be signed by Mark Hammons, chairman of the State Democratic Party. He will be accompanied by House Minority Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City, and Senate Minority Leader John Sparks, D-Norman.

Delegates to a Democratic Party gathering on July 25 voted to open the party's primary elections to Oklahomans who are registered as Independents. "Democrats have opened their arms in allowing Independent voters access to have a voice in deciding candidates before they are chosen for them," Hammons said afterward.

Voters registered as Independents and Democrats will be allowed to vote in all primaries beginning in 2016, including the Presidential Preferential Primary on March 1, 2016.

State Election Board records indicate Oklahoma has almost 882,700 registered Democrats, more than 261,000 Independents, and 886,000 Republicans.

The Gayly - 11/12/2015 @ 3:31 p.m. CST