#OK2014 Kicks Off Wednesday
Candidates to file for 2014 Oklahoma elections
By TIM TALLEY, Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Elections for both of Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate seats, the open 5th Congressional District seat and statewide seats including governor and lieutenant governor will highlight a busy 2014 political season that formally kicks off Wednesday when candidates begin arriving at the State Capitol to file paperwork and pay fees to have their names placed on the ballot.
More than 500 people are expected to submit their names as candidates for one of the more than 300 elective positions that are up for grabs during the state Election Board’s three-day filing period that begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. and ends Friday at 5 p.m., according to Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax.
A total of 586 candidates filed for office during the three-day filing period for the last gubernatorial election in 2010, including 391 — 67 percent — on the opening day. A total of 275 candidates filed for legislative offices and a statewide seat on the Corporation Commission during the presidential election two years ago.
Candidates for the Supreme Court and Oklahoma appellate courts will file with the Secretary of State’s office to be placed on retention ballots. Candidates for county assessor, treasurer and other county offices will file with their local county election boards.
Leading the 2014 election ballot are both of Oklahoma’s seats in the U.S. Senate.