Editor’s note: names in this article appear in the same order in which they appear on the Blaine County sample ballot.
When Blaine County residents step into the ballot box on election day, there may be some unexpected questions on the ticket.
Everyone will, of course, have the opportunity to cast their vote in the presidential race, but it isn’t a cut-and-dry Harris or Trump choice.
There is also the option to choose Chase Oliver and Mike Ter Matt on the Libertarian ticket, Chris Garrity and Cody Ballard on the Independent ticket and as of September 5, Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr and Nicole Shanahan remained on the sample ballots, even though Kennedy had suspended his race for the office a month ago.
In addition to the presidential race, voters will also choose one member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission from among Chad Williams, a libertarian, Brian Bingman, a Republican, and Harold Spradling, a Democrat.
There is also a full spate of judicial retention questions. These seats are not in head-tohead competition, but rather the question is whether they should remain on the bench for another term, phrased in a yes-no format.
Those judges are Oklahoma Supreme Court District 3 Noma Gurich, District 4 Yvonne Kauger and District 7 James Edmondson.
On the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, the judges seeking retention are District 1 William Musseman, District 4 Scott Rowland and District 5 David Lewis.
The back of the ballot is fully populated as well. Those questions include retention of judges on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, including James Huber in District 2, office 2; Timothy Downing of District 4, office 2; Thomas Prince of District 5, office 1; Robert Bell of District 5, office 2; Bay Mitchell of District 6, office 1; and Brian Goree of District 6, office 2.
There are also two state questions to consider.
Question 833 asks whether article 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution shall permit public infrastructure districts. If passed, this would allow property owners to band together, form a board of directors and issue bonds to pay for public improvements. The Legislature would create the laws to govern the public infrastructure districts, should the question pass.
State Question 834 clarifies an article of the Oklahoma Constitution, specifically that only U.S. citizens are qualified to vote in this state.
Those who would vote in the general election must be registered prior to midnight on October 11. Voters who have moved to a new county or state will have to update their registration in order to vote. The same deadline for registration applies to changes in party affiliation.
For more information or to check the status of your voter registration, got to okvoterportal. okelections. us, or contact the local elections board office.