In a runoff election with a surprisingly robust turnout, challenger Heather Sawyer-Spangler defeated sitting Blaine County Clerk Jennifer Haigler.
There were 809 votes cast in the contest, which determines who is in charge of guiding paperwork such as payroll and land records efficiently through processing, recording and/or payment.
In other contests around the state, a $23 million bond issue for Hinton Schools to construct, remodel and furnish school buildings passed with 50.32% for the proposition and a 49.68 % vote against the proposal.
In Oklahoma City, an increase to the hotel tax was passed by a wide margin, raising the surcharge from 5.5% to 9.25%. The costs apply to both hotel rooms and rentals such as Airbnb or Vrbo and the proceeds, estimated to be about $11 million annually, will go to promote tourism, support the fairgrounds and convention center, and sponsor events. Prior to the election, the question seemed to have widespread support based largely on the concept that it is paid for by visitors rather than residents.
With the accusations made after the 2020 presidential election, vote authenticity and election result security have been concerns to voters and politicians everywhere.
In a statement issued August 27, Paul Ziriax, state election board secretary, stated that following an audit of the June Oklahoma primaries, the voting system matched 100% of the certified results.
There were manual tabulation audits of ballots received in-person, absentee in-person and absentee mail ballots.
The post-election audit report is available on the state election boards website. Additionally, Ziriax said, an independent review of the state election system have shown it to be safe and secure. That review was conducted by the governor’s task force and followed by an analysis by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency.