Volunteers start collecting signatures to place open primaries on statewide ballot

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A group of volunteers started collecting signatures Wednesday for a petition that would add a state question to the ballot. SQ 836 would establish an open primary election system in the state.

The State Supreme Court ruled to allow the petition back in September. Supporters have the next 90 days to collect 173,000 signatures statewide.

Supporters started their efforts in downtown Oklahoma City.

"There's a lot of momentum about this change for the state of Oklahoma," said AJ Griffin, former State Senator and supporter of the measure.  "In my experience as an elected official in Oklahoma, we have a system that is not fair to the Oklahoma voter."

Those against SQ 836 voiced their concerns alongside volunteers as they collected signatures.

"Decline to sign,” said Billye Putnam, who is against the measure. "It's the worst thing that could ever happen to Oklahoma."

Charity Linch is the Oklahoma GOP chairperson.

"I don't think that it's right that a Democrat or an Independent would interfere with our elections and try to sway the vote,” said Linch. “I don't want to interfere with the Democratic elections. I don't want the Democrats to interfere with the Republican elections."

Linch said it was insulting that another party would try to interfere with one party’s election.

“We want Republicans to vote on who the best Republican is to run, and we want Democrats to vote on who is the best Democrat to run. We’re not interfering with free choice,” said Linch.”

Griffin said SQ 836 would provide fair representation to every Oklahoman, regardless of political affiliation.

"This is how we already elect our municipal officials. Oklahomans are familiar with this measure, and it's a way for us to make fairness common practice across the state, more like elections in Ardmore or Adair, El Reno," said Griffin.

Supporters have until the end of January to collect enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot.