Oklahoma Runoff: Governor, Senate, and Voter ID on Tuesday's Ballot

Oklahoma voters return to the polls on Tuesday for primary runoffs that will settle key nomination fights and decide two statewide ballot questions. The most closely watched contest is the Republican gubernatorial runoff between Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Senator Mike Mazzei, who emerged from a nine-candidate June primary with nearly identical vote shares—26.25% and 25.97%, respectively—far short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

The race has been defined by heavy personal spending. Mazzei has loaned his campaign over $11 million and spent about $12.3 million overall, while Drummond has spent roughly $9.1 million, including $3 million of his own money. Drummond, however, has outraised Mazzei in contributions, pulling in $7.1 million to Mazzei's $1.5 million.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Mazzei, adding another test of his influence in Republican primaries. Trump's picks have won most races this cycle, but lost gubernatorial nominations in Iowa, Georgia, and South Carolina. The winner will face Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson in November.

In the Democratic U.S. Senate runoff, nurse N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas faces attorney and minister Jim Priest. Thomas led the first round with about 45% of the vote, while Priest took roughly 24% despite raising nearly six times more money. Priest holds a significant cash advantage heading into Tuesday. The winner will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, who won his primary with about 70% of the vote.

Voters will also decide two state questions. State Question 846 would add a voter identification requirement to the state constitution—a practice already mandated by state law. State Question 844 concerns reimbursements to local governments for lost property tax revenue under a manufacturing incentive program.

Polls close at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET). Only registered party members may vote in their party's runoff; independents cannot participate in either. As of July 31, Oklahoma had about 2.4 million registered voters, including 1.3 million Republicans and 616,000 Democrats. Roughly 403,000 ballots were cast in the June Republican gubernatorial primary, and about 32,000 ballots have already been cast for Tuesday's election.

Oklahoma does not have automatic recounts for candidate races, though candidates may request and pay for one. Automatic recounts are required for statewide ballot questions if the margin is 0.5% or less.