Op-ed: State Question 836 is not about choice

Here's an op-ed from former Tulsa County GOP Chairman Mike Ford on the dangers of potential  State Question 836, currently gathering signatures across the state to be placed on the ballot:

State Question 836 IS NOT ABOUT CHOICE
by Mike Ford

State Question 836 would replace Oklahoma’s modified closed-primary system with a “top-two” non-partisan primary, placing all candidates on a single ballot and sending only the two highest vote-getters—regardless of party—to the general election ballot.

While we know very little about the cabal bankrolling SQ836, or their true agenda for wanting to hijack one of the best electoral systems in the country, it’s PR and proponents claim this measure “broadens voter participation, especially among Oklahoma’s Independent Voters.”

In reality, the measure alienates Independent voters, as well as Libertarians, along with the respective candidates of both constituencies.

Independents have blossomed to the fastest growing political affiliation in Oklahoma over the last 20 years, under our current electoral system. It has also allowed both parties to win and build majorities, while also empowering the Independent third option to appear on General Election ballots and compete or play spoiler. Such an option might become the People’s only recourse, in the event one or both parties advance candidates to the General Election ballot who do not represent the values of their respective party platform- or the Constitution- or the Bible.

SQ836 entrenches us into the two-SuperParty system, where it’s impossible to compete without being under the brand of a major political party, and without being beholden under the donor influence of a major party, as well. 

SQ836 denies Independent voters, and all voters, really, of the right to such a check or repudiation of the two major SuperParties by the People, and can serve as a “last exit” in dire circumstances. It serves the public by forcing both parties to be more honest with voters, and to not veer too far into either direction of radicalism. To remove such a safeguard without a reformed “write in” option available to the People for EVERY General Election, especially without the option of Recall Elections, would be a HUGE and foolish risk to all voters - especially Independents.

Ask yourselves, “why would a shady SuperPAC raise Million$ in California to high-dollar Chambercrat consultants, to spend those Million$ of Dollars on TV ads, robo-calls & mailers in Oklahoma, to meddle in our elections?”

“Have they decided to make these sacrifices and help our fringe voter constituencies in Oklahoma out of the kindness and generosity of their own hearts, when we didn’t even ask for their help in the first place?”

“Who are these people?” might be the first and best question to ask, but we can’t find out, because the organizers of SQ836 are keeping their donors lists hidden from Oklahoma voters.

Who do these people think they’re kidding? Proponents of SQ836 in California don’t care about Independents & Libertarians in Oklahoma, or our voter participation. In reality, Libertarian and Independent candidates in Oklahoma will likely never make the General Election ballot again, if SQ836 passes. This is a death knell to Independent & Libertarian influence in Oklahoma politics, without making us support a candidate of one of the two major SuperParties.

SQ836 also weakens both major parties’ ability to vet their own candidates, in order to ensure platform fidelity. It provides greater advantages for high-dollar campaigns to misuse party labels, throw their money around and dominate at the expense of both parties’ blue-collar constituencies- particularly the local parties and their grassroots activist bases.

In short, 836 risks consolidating Oklahoma politics under an elite, corporate-funded “Uniparty.”

If you are an Independent or Libertarian voter, SQ836 takes away your power. Don’t sign it. 

If you are a grassroots Republican or grassroots Democrat, SQ 836 takes away your power. Don’t sign it.

If you’re an establishment Democrat or RINO, supporting SQ836, heed my warning —especially to Democrats who see the desperation in the eyes of Republicans and hope to play spoiler just for spite:

SQ836 could certainly earn Democrats a few more urban and metro seats, if the “Monroe Effect” is real, but it also comes with a risk for Democrats to lose their opportunity to ever compete for state and rural seats again, in a Red State like Oklahoma. Once the corporate interests raise the price of campaigning to make you all irrelevant, just remember it’ll be corporate interests you claim to not be against in power - primarily fossil fuel.

It’s a killer for all three parties, and especially for Independents, so we all might want to work together as a collective opposition of Republican, Democrat, Independent and Libertarian groups to stop SQ836. 

This is not a partisan issue. 

That’s my perspective,

Mike Ford

PS- Don’t confuse it with other petitions claiming to raise minimum wage (SQ832) or to legalize recreational cannabis (SQ837). Paid signature gatherers for SQ836 might lie and tell you it’s something else. Beware!

SQ832 has already collected all it’s signatures and will be on the Primary ballot in June of 2026, so don’t let them tell you “it’s about workers’ rights” or “higher wages,” to fool you into signing 836. They’re not collecting anymore.

However, SQ837 is still in the process of collecting signatures, so pay attention to the fine print at the top of the signature page and make sure it is an “SQ837” petition if you choose to sign it, and make sure it’s not an SQ836 petition. Don’t just sign it because they tell you, “it’s about limited government” or “medical freedom.” If you see ANYTHING that says SQ836 on it, don’t sign it!