OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — For the first time in Oklahoma history, Republicans have surpassed Democrats in voter registration, following a trend in state politics that has been taking place for decades.
Figures released Tuesday by the Oklahoma Election Board show Republicans with an 806-voter edge over Democrats in registration. Of the more than 2 million registered voters, Republicans and Democrats both top 43 percent, with about 13 percent registered as independents.
Oklahoma has been a traditionally Democratic state, but has a long history of voting for Republicans in federal elections. Oklahoma voters haven't favored a Democrat in a presidential election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
When statewide voter registration records were first compiled in Oklahoma in 1960, about 82 percent of voters were Democrats compared to less than 18 percent Republicans.