Candidate names: How similar is ‘too similar’ under state law? 
It was fairly clear—the Oklahoma Supreme Court certainly thought so—that the State Election Board was correct to strike the name of Richard W. Freeman Jr. from the judicial ballot in 1998.
Read MoreJudicial candidate survives contest before State Election Board
Former Pittsburg County Special Judge Bill Layden was indicted in September 2011 on conspiracy to obstruct an embezzlement investigation probing allegations surrounding the handling of funds from drug court fees.
Read MoreAlmost half of state House re-elected without opposition
Once again—the same thing happened two years ago—about half of the 101 members of the state House of Representatives drew no challengers during the three-day filing period that ended at 5 p.m. Friday.
Read MoreSecond-day filing slower than usual at 71 candidates
After a massive first day of 419 candidates, the second day of this week’s filing period on Thursday ended with only 71 individuals submitting declarations of candidacy.
Read MoreNew criminal record disclosure requirement catches first ‘yes’ check during election filing
A new line on the Oklahoma “Declaration of Candidacy” form requiring filers to disclose whether they have been convicted of or have an outstanding warrant for any felony or a misdemeanor involving embezzlement was checked for the first time Wednesday by a candidate for county commissioner in Cotton County, records show.
Read MoreBREAKING: Election filing tops 400
The final candidate count on the first day of filing for the 2014 elections: 419. In recent memory, the next-highest first-day total in a gubernatorial year was 419, in 2006. Filing continues Thursday and Friday.
Read MoreMore than 500 candidates expected to file for office next week
If you take an average of the number of candidates who have filed for office in the last three gubernatorial election years, about 585 people may show up at the Capitol beginning next Wednesday to file for the legislature, Congress, one of several state offices, a judgeship or district attorney’s office—about 70 percent of them on the first day.
Read MoreBy the numbers: Dems, Repubs almost neck-and-neck in Oklahoma voter registration
Oklahoma’s 1.98 million registered voters are almost evenly split between Democrats—still in the lead at 44.8 percent—and Republicans, who now make up 43.2 percent of the electorate.
Read MoreCourt: Law so clearly targeted at Muslim Sharia law it cannot survive legal challenge
A law that Oklahoma voters approved by more than a 70 percent majority is so obviously and unconstitutionally focused on excluding the use of or reference to Muslim Sharia law in Oklahoma court cases that it cannot stand, according to an order issued Thursday afternoon by an Oklahoma City federal judge.
Read MoreMore register as Republicans, independents in 2012
Oklahomans registering as Republicans and independents increased their percentage of the state’s voter registrations last year, helping to boost the total to more than 2.1 million, according to data from the State Election Board.
Read More23rd & Lincoln
Marie Price
Get an insider’s perspective on what’s going on in the state government that may affect your business or organization. Featuring State Capitol press veteran Marie Price‘s take on what’s driving the day at the Capitol.