Oklahoma independents back $15 minimum wage, call for open primaries

Oklahoma’s primary saw independents only eligible to vote on State Question 832, which would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, while criticizing the closed primary system that keeps them out of governor and U.S. Senate races. Separately, State Question 836, which would have opened primaries, failed to reach the ballot. Many independents advocate open primaries and some say they may re-evaluate party registration to gain broader voting rights in future elections, highlighting ongoing debates over how Oklahoma runs its primary system.