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5 things to know about Oklahoma general election
by The Associated Press
Nov 07, 2012 | 1508 views | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print

Here are five things to know about Oklahoma’s general election:

1. OBAMA SHUTOUT

Oklahoma voters remained chilly to Barack Obama this election, as returns showed the president losing in all 77 counties. In 2008, the president failed to win a single county and the Sooner State was offering up the same treatment in 2012. Complete but unofficial results showed that Obama picked up just 115 of the 1,197 votes cast in Cimarron County in the Oklahoma Panhandle — or less than 10 percent. The president performed the best in Cherokee County, where he received just under 43 percent of the vote.

2. BALLOT ISSUE AFTERMATH

The “yes” vote ruled at polls this year as Oklahoma voters approved all ballot measures offered up, including a proposal to ban affirmative action and one that removes the governor from the parole process. The initiatives aren’t as controversial as measures raised in recent years, which have led to people suing or complaining about laws concerning Sharia law, personhood for fetuses, abortion restrictions and making the state conduct business in English or a Native American language.

3. REPUBLICAN RISE

Oklahoma’s GOP picked up its greatest extension of power yet. With two open U.S. House races falling to Republicans, the party will control both chambers of the Legislature, all seven spots in Congress and all statewide offices. Democrats have held at least some positions after every election cycle since Oklahoma became a state in 1907.

4. VOTER ID

Tuesday’s election was the first general election in Oklahoma since the approval of a 2010 law requiring all voters to show a current federal, state or tribal identification card, or a voter-registration card issued by their county election board. Those without the proper ID were allowed to sign a sworn affidavit and cast a provisional ballot. Election officials did not report problems during the primaries.

5. 2ND DISTRICT

Markwayne Mullin is heading to Washington, picking up an open congressional seat that’s been held by retiring Democrat Dan Boren for four terms. The businessman from Westville defeated Rob Wallace to represent the district that stretches from the state’s northern border with Kansas to the Red River border with Texas. Although Democrats hold a registration advantage in the district, voters there have grown increasingly conservative over the last decade.



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