OK Democrats Elect New Chairman, Consider Open Primaries To Boost Numbers
Note: The Oklahoma Democratic Party elected Oklahoma City attorney Mark Hammons as Chairman at their convention on Saturday. (link)
Oklahoma Democrats may open primaries to independents
Proposal likely to be considered at state party convention.
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Oklahoma Democrats, in an attempt to broaden their shrinking base, may decide this weekend to let the state’s 260,000 independents vote in the party’s 2016 primaries.
“I think it’s got a better-than-even chance of passing,” Tulsa County party Vice Chairman Greg Bledsoe said ahead of Saturday’s state Democratic convention in Oklahoma City.
Delegates to the convention are expected to consider two actions that together would allow Oklahoma independents to vote in the March 2 presidential primary and succeeding state and local primaries. Officials believe it would be the first time independents could vote in a party primary.
State House Minority Leader Scott Inman, D-Del City, said he supports the idea because he thinks it will cause Democratic candidates to talk to a more diverse group of potential voters.