(Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)
For the first time in many years, I didn’t vote in an Oklahoma primary election.
It might sound odd coming from the editor of a political nonprofit publication and from someone who typically shows up at even the lowest turnout elections, including one where a single school board race was on the ballot.
But when Election Day arrived in June, I felt an unusual surge of apathy and decided not to drive to my polling location.
There was one key item on the primary ballot that interested me — a state House race. Two Republicans — incumbent Preston Stinson and Steve Herburger — were facing off. It was a winner-take-all outcome. The winner faces no opponent in November.
But as a registered independent voter, I couldn’t weigh in on the outcome of the race. The only issue I was aware of on my ballot was a local lodging tax initiative.
Instead, 2,575 Republicans got to choose who will represent the roughly 39,700 constituents who reside within House District 96, which encompasses parts of Oklahoma City, Edmond and Arcadia and five school districts.