Why vote in OKC?
I’ve already scoped out my sample election ballot (because I LOVE this stuff!?!) as a registered voter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Here is what is on my ballot and a brief explanation of the offices up for grabs: (Why should you care? Because you probably have similar stuff on your ballot)
Corporation Commissioner (state officer)– This elected person is part of a state board that regulates oil & gas, fuel, transportation, and public utilities. They make rules for various related topics such as charging stations for electric cars or access to and billing for telecommunications services.
United States Representative (national officer) – Oklahoma has 5 representatives that represent our state in Congress. This would be the one for my area of the state. If you are following issues like reproductive rights, border security, criminal sentencing standards, etc., then you’ll want to do your homework on who is on your ballot for your U.S. Representative.
State Representative (state officer) – This is one I always watch closely! In fact, this person is one I get to know really well, because I watch legislation at the state level very closely. I love and hate it! I am looking forward to this vote, because my current representative ignores my calls and emails on important state issues – primarily public education items like student transfers, social media, school employee discipline, etc. This person can propose state laws that directly impact us in most aspects of our lives. Be sure to research your candidates closely and see what each candidate supports.
County Sheriff (county officer) – This elected person strives to ensure order and civility on a county level, which includes overseeing the county jail and security of courthouses. This is different from the city police, which has a jurisdictional boundary with the city. We have 12 (TWELVE!) cities within our county – i.e. Bethany, Nichols Hills, Midwest City, etc., plus a handful of towns.
State Supreme Court Judges (state officer) – The Oklahoma Supreme Court is the highest court in our state and decides matters that are appealed to through lower court disputes or for certain important matters that only the Oklahoma Supreme Court can decide. As a lawyer in this state, I know how I am voting because I watch these decisions closely. But for the average citizen, you may want to do your research on the Oklahoma Supreme Court to see whether you have concerns about how decisions at the state level are being made. But please keep in mind that decisions are made based on state law – so the outcome is not necessarily the way to make your decision. Considering what we’ve seen nationally, you might review if there have been any allegations of wrongdoing for that office. We are talking bribes and whatnot. Retain or not retain is your decision.
Court of Criminal Appeals Judges (state officer) – This is the highest court for criminal matters specifically. Again, these decisions are based on state law. This panel of judges hears cases ranging from juvenile delinquent matters all the way to death penalty matters. They specialize in this and have almost 1,000 cases pending today.
Court of Civil Appeals Judges (state officer) – This court of civil appeals is an intermediate court and the judges. I have three (3) on my ballot for whether or not to retain. These judges hear civil cases like custody disputes in a divorce, property fights, breach of contract cases, etc.
State Questions – There are two state questions, and I already can tell they’re written in a funky way. So let me break each one down:
State Question 833: This state question was proposed as part of legislation to allow certain property owners to have the ability to create public infrastructure districts (PIDs) to basically tax themselves to build new roads, parks, water systems, etc. This is a state question because a change in our tax system requires an amendment to our state constitution. And state questions are decided by the voters.
State Question 834: This state question proposes for voters to decide whether noncitizens can vote, but WAIT! Before you get all excited… this is a state question that may have been proposed solely to rile folks up because whether it passes or not, nothing changes. A few words may change but the effect and meaning remain the same.
Why would the Legislature propose this to be on the ballot as a state question? It’s a political stunt. Who can vote can be a highly divisive issue, right?! It promotes concern but in reality, its only purpose is to drive people to the polls who have certain beliefs and may vote on the other ballot measures and perhaps will do so through straight party voting. Just saying…
Not on this ballot, but City Council (city officer)
Upset at the lack of sidewalks in your neighborhood? That’s a city council issue. Your city council person is elected from your geographic residence. That person is your representative in all city matters, which could also include how your local taxes are spent (i.e. a bridge across NW Expressway, utilities and infrastructure development, local libraries, etc.).
