The recent success of Democrats in deep-red Oklahoma amid continuing state budget problems will be put to a further test Tuesday in special elections for three previously Republican-held state legislative seats.
The races are in suburban districts in Oklahoma City and Tulsa where Republicans have nearly 2-to-1 registration advantages, but come at a time of voter frustration over years of state budget shortfalls and recent scandals that have led to the resignation of Republican incumbents.
Former Republican state Sen. Kyle Loveless resigned from his seat in April and later pleaded guilty to embezzling campaign funds. The other seats up for grabs Tuesday include a state House seat in Broken Arrow where the incumbent died and a Senate seat in suburban Tulsa.
There are also seven modifications to the Tulsa City Charter for today. One would give municipal employees the right to openly campaign for candidates and issues.