From an open governor’s seat to Oklahoma City’s mayoral race, voters will decide leadership at nearly every level of government in 2026.

Republican voters in House District 35 cast ballots in a special primary election Tuesday, but they'll have to do it again in January.

The group’s formation comes after it was announced last week that independents would not be allowed to vote in Democratic, Republican or Libertarian primaries. Democrats had allowed independents to vote in their primaries for nearly a decade.

The groups are interested in designing new ways for the state’s independents to have a more representative voice in the election cycle, or increase civic engagement.

The State Election Board Secretary announced on Wednesday that all primaries will remain closed for the 2026-2027 election years.

The Oklahoma Democratic Party is working with the State Election Board to ensure independent voter access to its primary ballot after the board "blindsided" the party and said all primary elections would be closed in 2026 and 2027.

Independent voters in Oklahoma will not be able to participate in primary elections for the 2026-2027 election cycles, the Oklahoma State Election Board announced Wednesday.

Nearly half a million Oklahomans registered as Independents will be unable to vote in primary elections for the next two years. Some Independent voters have decided to switch parties to continue voting in the primary.