Voters across Green Country will head to the polls Aug. 25 with a wide range of decisions on the ballot, from multimillion-dollar school bond packages and local sales tax proposals to statewide Republican runoff races.
Several communities will have issues specific to their cities, counties or school districts. Oklahoma voters will also decide two state questions, while registered Republicans will choose who advances in several statewide races.
Check your local ballot for a full list of races on Aug. 25.
Here’s a look at some of the races and proposals News On 6 is following.
School Bond Elections:
Bartlesville Public Schools $40.5 Million Bond Package
Bartlesville voters will head to the polls Aug. 25 to decide on a $40.5 million school bond proposal covering safety upgrades, athletic and program facilities, and new buses.
Read our previous coverage: Bartlesville Public Schools Asks Voters To Consider $40.5 Million Bond Package
Sallisaw Public Schools $23.6 Million Bond
Sallisaw Public Schools is asking voters to decide on a $23.6 million bond proposal to build a new performing arts center and a modern track and field complex. If approved, the bond would keep the district’s debt service levy at 21.12 mills.
Read our previous coverage: Sallisaw Public Schools Proposes $23.6 Million Bond
Hulbert Schools $5 Million Bond Proposal
District leaders are asking voters to consider separate construction and transportation bond questions after February proposals failed to reach Oklahoma’s 60% approval requirement earlier this year.
Read our previous coverage: Hulbert Voters To Decide $5 Million In School Bond Proposals
Westville Schools Bond Package
Westville Public Schools is asking voters to consider two separate bond propositions. Proposition 1 is $2.105 million for a new high school classroom building. Proposition 2 totals $15.955 million for agriculture facility improvements and a new multipurpose event center/gymnasium. A previous bond proposal fell short of the 60% required to pass.
Read our previous coverage: Westville Schools Bond Package Vote
Savanna 3D-Printed Elementary School Proposal
Savanna Public Schools is asking voters to approve a bond proposal that would replace its aging elementary school with what district leaders say would be the first 3D-printed concrete school building in the United States.
Read our previous coverage: Savanna Voters To Decide On Historic 3D-Printed Elementary School Proposal
Other Propositions/Races:
Bixby City Bond Election
Bixby voters will decide on a $77.5 million bond package covering four propositions — including a new fire station, animal shelter, road widening projects, park upgrades and wastewater expansion.
Read our previous coverage: Bixby Bond Election: What’s In The $77.5 Million Proposal?
Tahlequah: Two Sales Tax Propositions
Tahlequah voters will decide two sales tax propositions that would replace the city’s existing 0.75% sales tax when it expires in March 2028. Proposition 1 would create a 0.50% Capital Improvement Sales Tax to fund 12 projects across the city. Proposition 2 would create a permanent 0.25% sales tax dedicated to Tahlequah’s General Fund.
Read our previous coverage: Tahlequah Voters To Decide Two Sales Tax Propositions In August Election
Ottawa County: Sales Tax Increase And $33 Million Jail Death Judgment
Ottawa County voters will decide whether to approve a temporary one-cent sales tax increase to help pay a court judgment exceeding $33 million, plus attorney fees and interest, related to the death of an inmate at the Ottawa County Jail.
Read our previous coverage: Ottawa County Voters To Decide Sales Tax Increase Tied To $33 Million Jail Death Judgment
Creek County: 1/3-Cent Road Sales Tax
Creek County voters will head to the polls to decide whether to renew a one-third-cent sales tax used for road maintenance and repairs. The measure would continue an existing tax set to expire in 2027 that generates nearly $2.8 million a year for county roads.
Read our previous coverage: Creek County Voters To Decide Fate Of 1/3-Cent Road Sales Tax
Oklahoma Natural Gas Franchise
Tulsa voters will decide whether to approve a new 20-year franchise agreement allowing Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) to continue using the city’s public rights-of-way to transport, distribute and sell natural gas throughout Tulsa.
Read our previous coverage: Tulsa Voters To Decide Oklahoma Natural Gas Franchise In Aug. 25 Special Election
Tulsa City Council District 1
North Tulsa voters will decide the Tulsa City Council District 1 race. News On 6 previously heard from the District 1 candidates ahead of the election, giving voters a chance to hear from those seeking the council seat before ballots are cast.
Read our previous coverage: North Tulsa Voters Hear From District 1 Candidates Ahead Of August’s General Election
Statewide Republican Runoffs:
Oklahoma Governor (Republican): Gentner Drummond vs. Mike Mazzei
Registered Republican voters will choose between Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei in the Republican runoff for governor. The race will determine which of the two candidates advances from the Republican side of the governor’s race to face Democrat Cyndi Munson in November.
Drummond and Mazzei faced each other in a debate ahead of the runoff election.
Read our previous coverage: Watch Mazzei, Drummond Debate Ahead Of Runoff Election
Superintendent of Public Instruction (Republican): Robert Franklin vs. James Taylor
Robert Franklin and James Taylor are facing each other in the Republican runoff for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. The winner will advance to face Jennettie Marshall in November. News On 6 previously covered the GOP runoff debate and highlighted five takeaways from the candidates’ discussion.
Read our previous coverage: 5 Takeaways From The GOP Runoff Debate For State Superintendent
Labor Commissioner (Republican): Kevin West vs. John Pfeiffer
Kevin West and John Pfeiffer are the two candidates in the Republican runoff for Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor.
The candidates previously met for a Republican runoff debate covered by News On 6.
Read our previous coverage: Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Republican Runoff Debate
Insurance Commissioner (Republican): Bob Sullivan vs. Marty L. Quinn
Registered Republican voters will choose between Bob Sullivan and Marty L. Quinn in the GOP race for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner.
Democrat US Senate Runoff:
Democrats N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest are vying for their party’s nomination for Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate seat. It was left open after former U.S. Senator for Oklahoma Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as DHS Secretary. The winner of the Democratic runoff will face Republican Kevin Hern.
Read our previous coverage: Who is running for Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate Seat?
Oklahoma State Questions:
Oklahoma voters will decide two state questions in the August runoff election — one dealing with property tax exemption reimbursements and another on voter identification requirements.
Read our previous coverage: Oklahoma Voters To Decide Two State Questions In August Runoff
FAQ
What election is happening on Aug. 25?
Green Country voters will have a mix of statewide and local races and propositions on their ballots, depending on where they live and, for partisan races, their registration.
What school proposals are on the ballot?
Sallisaw, Hulbert, Westville, Bartlesville and Savanna schools have bond proposals on the ballot.
What sales tax proposals are on the ballot?
Tahlequah voters have two sales tax propositions, Ottawa County voters have a sales tax increase tied to a $33 million jail death judgment, and Creek County voters will decide a 1/3-cent road sales tax.
Which statewide Republican races are on the ballot?
The Republican runoffs listed for Aug. 25 are governor, superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of labor and insurance commissioner.
What other issues will voters decide?
Depending on location, ballots can also include the Bixby $77.5 million bond proposal, Tulsa’s Oklahoma Natural Gas franchise question, the Tulsa City Council District 1 race and two Oklahoma state questions.
The races and propositions a voter sees on Aug. 25 will depend on where they live and which contests apply to their ballot.
Check your local ballot for a full list of races on Aug 25.
