Politics

An Important Election A handful of critical roles Tuesday, Nov. 8 ushers in Oklahoma’s general election for a variety of are up for grabs government leadership roles. Oklahomans will either elect during the Nov. 8 general. the state’s 29th governor or re-elect incumbent Governor Kevin Stitt. Also running for the state’s top executive seat are Joy Hofmeister (D), Ervin Yen (I) and Natalie Bruno (L). Oklahoma’s rst 17 governors were all from the Democratic Party, but since 1963, more than half of Oklahoma governors elected have been Republican. ere are other critical positions at the state level up for grabs, including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer and State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Oklahomans will also elect the Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner and State Commissioner of Labor. For lieutenant governor, candidates are Matt Pinnell (incumbent, R), Melinda Alizadeh-Fard (D) and Chris Powell (L). Only two candidates are ELECTION running for attorney general: Gentner Drummond (R) and Lynda Steele (L). DETAILS ere are two U.S. Senate races ELECTION DAY: on the November ballot; incumbent Nov. 8, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. James Lankford (R) will defend his seat against Madison Horn (D), Michael VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Delaney (I) and Kenneth Blevins (L). Oct. 14 Having served as U.S. Senator from Oklahoma since 1994, Jim Inhofe will ABSENTEE VOTING DEADLINE: (last day to request ballot) retire this year and his seat will be up Oct. 24, 5 p.m. for grabs in a special election. Candi- EARLY VOTING dates are Kendra Horn (D), Markwayne Mullin (R), Ray Woods (I) and Robert DATES AND TIMES: Nov. 2-4, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Murphy (L). U.S. House Oklahoma District 1 will be contested among Kevin Hern OKLAHOMA VOTER PORTAL: oklahoma.gov/elections/ ovp.htm (incumbent, R), Adam Martin (D) and Evelyn Rogers (I). Information on all candidates can be found on the Oklahoma Election Board website, under the heading “candidates.” Voter Turnout and Resources Since 2014, Oklahoma voter turnout has been steadily growing, with the greatest increase among voters aged 18 to 24. is age group still represents the smallest percentage of total voter turnout – a mere 6% of all voters – while voters over age 44 represent 66% of all voters. However, this older demographic has declined by 11% since 2014. e League of Women Voters creates a voters guide for non-partisan information to help make informed decisions during election season. Additionally, for those worried about election security and the integrity of the vote count process, the league recently published a review of election security in Oklahoma, available at my.lwv.org/oklahoma. 918 Vote is an initiative of Tulsa Young Professionals (TYPROS) which focuses on registering, educating and mobilizing voters 40 and under in the Tulsa area. Utilizing non-partisan and community-building tools, TYPROS aims to create a new generation of young, engaged voters and establish more representative election outcomes (typros. org/918vote). Vote Your Values is a coalition of tribal nations and community partners developed as a voter education initiative to increase voter registration and engagement across Oklahoma. is is another educational voting

Candidates from L-R resource aimed to inspire every include: Kendra Horn of-age citizen to engage more (D); Madison Horn (D); Joy Hofmeister (D); Kevin meaningfully with the voting

Stitt (R); James Lankford process (voteyourvaluesok.com/ (R); and Markwayne be-involved).

Mullin (R). JEFF THOMPSON

THANK YOU!

From left: Tyrance Billingsley, accepting on behalf of Vision Dinner 2022 Honoree Tyrance Billingsley, II; TCC President Leigh Goodson; Vision Dinner 2022 honoree Ron Looney; Vision Dinner 2022 honoree Alana Hughes; and Vision Dinner 2022 Chair Molly Jarvis.

Because of you, the Tulsa Community College Foundation Vision Dinner 2022 was a success! With your help, more than $460,000 was raised!