The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

State, national, world

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

1. OBAMA SHUTOUT?

Oklahoma voters remained chilly to Barack Obama this election, as early returns showed the president trailing 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.

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 on past ballots, 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 is 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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November 6, 2012

Oklahoma voters OK affirmative action, parole changes

By Tim Talley Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma voters approved all six ballot measures on Tuesday, including a proposal to wipe out affirmative action programs in state government that the plan's supporters say are no longer needed.

Voters approved the Republican-backed measure that prohibits preferential treatment in contracts or education programs based on race, gender, ethnicity or national origin. The law change wouldn't apply to programs in place because of court orders or ones needed to keep or obtain federal funding.

Also approved by voters were proposals to remove the governor from the parole process, limit annual property valuation increases from 5 percent to 3 percent, exempt intangible personal property from property tax and change the way the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is governed. Voters also approved a question that allows the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to issue bonds.

The Republican-led Legislature put the affirmative action measure on the ballot and rejected criticism the proposal was intended to drive more conservative voters to the polls.

"The only way we're going to get past racism and get people not to see the color difference is to get our government to lead by example," state Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher, who sponsored the proposal in the Legislature, said last month.

State officials believe the change would have a minimal impact, mainly on some scholarships that target women or minorities.

The proposal that calls for removing the governor from the pardon and parole process would apply to nonviolent offenders. Supporters say it would make the probation and parole system more efficient. Republican Gov. Mary Fallin initially supported the plan but reversed her position after concerns from district attorneys who wanted the additional level of oversight.

The plan to restructure the state's troubled Human Services Department also was put before voters after the agency struggled with a string of child neglect cases and a class-action lawsuit in recent years.

___

Associated Press writer Sean Murphy contributed to this report from Oklahoma City.

 

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