MuskogeePolitico's recommendations for the 2026 Election

Tuesday, November 3rd, is the Oklahoma General Election, and voters all across the state will be heading to the polls to decide who will hold elected offices for the next two to six years (depending on the position). Below are my voting recommendations. I know I'm just a lowly blogger, but hopefully the information in this post will be helpful with your voting plans.

If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out. Early voting continues tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 31st), from 8am to 2pm, at these locations. Election day voting is 7am to 7pm at your polling place.

Stitt appoints Judge Marion Fry to Court of Criminal Appeals

Gov. Kevin Stitt has picked a successor to retiring Judge Gary Lumpkin on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals:

Governor Stitt Appoints Judge Marion D. Fry to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 29, 2026) – Today, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Judge Marion D. Fry to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, District 3.

"Judge Fry has spent his whole career fighting for law and order,” said Governor Stitt. "He knows the law, he respects the Constitution, and he understands that public safety matters to every Oklahoma family. I'm confident he'll serve the people of eastern Oklahoma and our entire state well on the Court of Criminal Appeals."

Vote against Judge Jane Wiseman

Among the statewide judges up for retention this year is Judge Jane P. Wiseman of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals (read more about this year's judicial retention ballot here). 

A key figure in the Left's long march to reshape Oklahoma's conservative, Christian-rooted culture, Wiseman officiated Oklahoma's first same-sex marriage, calling it a "joyous occasion." Her liberal record stretches much further back, but this distinction sets her apart from the other judges on Oklahoma's appellate courts. Christians and conservatives have strong grounds to oppose her.

Lawmakers study use of Flock cameras in Oklahoma

Sen. Boren presents interim study on use of Flock cameras in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 13rd) – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, asked the Public Safety Committee to examine the rapid expansion of Flock license plate reader cameras across Oklahoma. With billions of vehicle images stored in databases nationwide, the technology has intensified debate at the Capitol over the Fourth Amendment, law enforcement, and mass surveillance. The interim study brought this growing national dispute before members Wednesday.

“Before the study, I reviewed feedback from across the state and was impressed by Oklahomans’ understanding of their right to be free from unreasonable surveillance and warrantless searches. People should feel secured by their government, not stalked by it,” Boren said.

The hearing addressed several issues, including Oklahoma law governing Flock camera use, relevant case law, Fourth Amendment protections, and public safety concerns.

Early voting begins Wednesday for Oklahoma voters

Early Voting Begins Wednesday for November General Election

(Oklahoma City, Oct. 23rd) – State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that in-person absentee voting (also known as “early voting”) for the November 3 General Election begins Wednesday across the state. Early voting locations will be open Wednesday, October 28 through Friday, October 30 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, October 31 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

Secretary Ziriax encourages voters to make a plan to vote. “With four days of early voting and Election Day on Tuesday, there are plenty of opportunities for voters to cast their ballot. Remember, no excuse is needed to vote early. However, you will need to complete an in-person absentee ballot application when you check in at your early voting location.”

City Foundation rejects request to fund Muskogee's $29M judgment, then gives $10M to help with expenses

At their bimonthly meeting this evening, the City of Muskogee Foundation rejected Muskogee Mayor Ryan Lowe's proposal to use the equivalent of (approximately) half of the foundation's annual return on investment to pay Muskogee's pending $29.25M legal bill stemming from three lawsuits over improper condemnation and demolition of derelict properties in 2005 and 2006. The city's other options for payment are either back-breaking property tax hikes or a hefty sales tax hike, or some combination of the two.

At the same time, the Foundation did approve another request by the city for a $10M grant (spread out over 5 years) so the city could reallocate other funds to put toward that debt service. Read more on the meeting from the Muskogee Phoenix and KJRH.

CITY OF MUSKOGEE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF MUSKOGEE 

MUSKOGEE, OK (Oct. 26th) - The City of Muskogee Foundation today announced a five-year, $10 million funding partnership with the City of Muskogee to support eligible industrial development activities while providing the City with greater flexibility to address its financial obligations. The request from the City was approved during the Foundation’s bimonthly board meeting, with 12 members voting in favor and two abstaining.

Here's what you need to know about the State Questions on Oklahoma's 2026 ballot

Two weeks ago, I published Here's what you need to know about the judges on Oklahoma's 2026 ballot. In this post, I'll focus in on the two state questions that are on the ballot. I got some of my information from these helpful articles (SQ 845, SQ 847) at Ballotpedia, in addition to information from various blogs and sites.

State legislators urge US Senate to protect rural postal services

Oklahoma Lawmakers Urge U.S. Senators to Protect Reliable Rural Postal Service

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 19th) — As the U.S. Senate considers nominees to the United States Postal Service Board of Governors, Oklahoma lawmakers and rural community leaders are urging the state's U.S. Senators to ensure the Postal Service remains committed to dependable mail service for rural communities.

Stitt applauds court ruling over environmental policy on tribal lands

Governor Kevin Stitt Applauds Federal Court for Clarifying the Narrow Nature of the McGirt Ruling

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 20, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt today released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Oklahoma’s authority to administer federal environmental programs on tribal lands.

Here's what you need to know about the judges on Oklahoma's 2026 ballot

It's almost voting time, and you're likely here because you don't want to be surprised when you see nine justices and judges on your ballot whom you know nothing about. Thanks for dropping by!

If you've ever done the frustrating task of searching for information on these courts and judges, I feel your pain. As I mentioned in previous election years, finding information on the justices and judges on the retention ballot can be a difficult task for the average voter, so I've tried to do the work for you.

In this post, I'll cover the following justices and judges who are on every Oklahoma voter's ballot:

• Supreme Court - M. John Kane IV
• Supreme Court - Travis V. Jett
• Supreme Court - Dana Kuehn
• Supreme Court - Richard B. Darby
• Court of Criminal Appeals - Robert L. Hudson
• Court of Civil Appeals - Stacie L. Hixon
• Court of Civil Appeals - Deborah B. Barnes
• Court of Civil Appeals - Jane P. Wiseman
• Court of Civil Appeals - James R. Huber
  

Attorney General Drummond asks DEQ to revise proposed rules in fight over Inola smelter

Drummond asks DEQ to revise proposed rules, continues fight against Inola aluminum smelter

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 8, 2026) -- Attorney General Gentner Drummond has asked the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to ensure that a proposed air quality rule cannot be used to permit the aluminum smelter planned for Inola if the project fails to meet federal ozone limits on its own.

ODOT head Tim Gatz to retire, Stitt appoints TJ Dill as interim director

Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz

Governor Stitt Thanks Secretary Tim Gatz for 37 Years of Service, Appoints TJ Dill as Interim Director

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 7, 2026) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced that Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Executive Director Tim Gatz will retire from the agency, effective October 31, 2026.

"Tim has been with my administration since the very beginning, and he's been my go-to on every road, bridge, and turnpike question for nearly eight years," said Governor Stitt. "When we took office, we said we wanted Oklahoma to be a Top Ten state, and Tim took that personally. Today, Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation for bridge conditions, a long way from where we were two decades ago. I wish him the best in this next chapter."