Oklahoma
Oklahoma lawmakers push forward a ban on ranked-choice voting
Some Oklahoma lawmakers think a switch to ranked-choice voting is too costly, others say it will save the state money in the long term and help bring balanced elections.
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering the prohibition of ranked-choice voting in state elections.
Rep. Eric Roberts, R- Oklahoma City, introduced House Bill 3156 to the House Elections and Ethics Committee, Monday.
The measure would ban voters listing candidates for public office in order of preference on their ballots, and election boards from certifying race results determined that way.
The practice is known as ranked-choice voting.
“Ranked-choice voting, basically would supplant our current system to put in a prorated, preferential voting method,” Roberts said.
He said changing the way the state conducts elections would fix an unbroken system.
“It has been said that Oklahoma’s election laws are some of the best in the nation,” Roberts said. “Why would we scrap them for another system that relies on computer algorithms to choose the winner?”
Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, was a vocal proponent of ranked-choice voting at the committee meeting. He said the voting method can save the state money, reduce partisanship in elections and give third-party candidates a fighting chance.
He said voters he’s talked to support preference-based voting.
“They get excited because they start to see something beyond our two party system,” Dollens said. “It’ll save the state money because there will be no runoff elections, and it will reduce negative campaigning.”
Dollens said state-level restrictions on how elections are conducted are a heavy-handed approach to limiting the ability of local jurisdictions to make their own decisions.
“I think the underlying issue here is that you have a heavy-handed state government that is dictating to local municipalities on what they can and cannot do when it comes to their local elections,” he said.
Roberts said switching to a ranked-choice system would cost the state too much time and money. He says voting machines in Oklahoma are unable to count ranked ballots. They would need to be replaced or election results could see long delays.
Paul Ziriax, the Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary, testified during the committee meeting and backed up Roberts’ concerns. Ziriax said the voting machines the state uses now cannot read ranked-choice ballots and aren’t due to be upgraded for another four to eight years.
Dollens pointed out the last time voting machines were updated in Oklahoma was in 2012.
The measure was approved in committee with a 5-2 vote and can now be heard by the full House.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A federal grand jury has charged an Oklahoma City man with dozens of counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.
From June 2021 through December 2025, officials say 36-year-old Matthew Mclain Veazey presented himself as a successful financial investment professional. Public records indicate that Veazey encouraged friend and family to send him money by claiming he had special access to favorable investment opportunities due to his connections.
However, authorities say Veazey kept the money for himself and used it for personal expenses.
Court records allege that investors gave Veazey $2.38 million, but those funds were never repaid. Authorities say Veazey fabricated text messages and email communications from real people to convince victims that his investment activities were real.
This week, a federal grand jury returned a 30-count indictment charging Veazey with 21 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.
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If convicted, Veazey faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count of wire fraud, up to 10 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for each count of money laundering.
The more, the merrier!
The United Football League announced on Thursday morning that it’s expanding to 10 teams in 2028, including the addition of a team in Oklahoma City.
“Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision,” UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole said in a statement about the inclusion of Oklahoma City. “This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and truly understands the game. From college powerhouses to Friday night lights, football runs deep here. We’re committed to building a franchise in OKC that the entire state can rally behind.”
The Oklahoma City UFL team doesn’t yet have a name but will play its home games at MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, which is under construction. The location of the other expansion team isn’t known, either.
“Oklahoma City has long been one of the most glaring vacancies on the professional football map,” UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon said in a statement. “The combination of a new stadium, deep-rooted football culture, and a city that has proven its ability to support major league sports makes this an easy decision. We are thrilled to bring the UFL’s brand of high-octane spring football to the passionate fans of Oklahoma.”
The lone professional sports team in Oklahoma City is the Thunder, who just won their first NBA championship in franchise history last season. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma Sooners (college) are located roughly 25 minutes south of Oklahoma City, while the Oklahoma State Cowboys (college) are located roughly 70 minutes north of Oklahoma City.
As for this season, which is two weeks young, the UFL has three new teams: the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm.
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