By Andrew Hayes of Lawton, Oklahoma – He is a rancher and former candidate for office. Andrew is the founder and president of the Liberty Literature Foundation.
Supporters of State Question 836 want to eliminate party primaries in Oklahoma and replace them with a so-called “jungle primary” — where every candidate runs together, and only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.
You’ve probably heard Republicans argue that this hurts the GOP. But that completely misses the bigger point:
✅ SQ 836 hurts everyone except the wealthy and well-connected.
❌ It’s not just a threat to Republican grassroots candidates.
❌ It’s a death sentence for Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents.
Remember the BCS vs. the College Football Playoff?
Under the old BCS system, only the top two teams got a shot at the title — and even undefeated teams were shut out. Fans demanded fairness. So we moved to a 12-team playoff where the underdog gets a real chance.
SQ 836 reverses that progress.
Right now in Oklahoma:
- Republicans get a candidate on the ballot
- Democrats get a candidate on the ballot
- Libertarians get a candidate on the ballot
- Independents can qualify too
Everyone gets a voice in November.
Under SQ 836?
Only the two most funded, most “establishment-approved” candidates advance.
The rest? Eliminated before voters ever see them.
The days of voting for a Libertarian or an Independent in a general election?
🔚 Over.
The days of a working-class Democrat making the ballot?
🔚 Gone.
The days of a grassroots conservative beating the big donor favorite?
🔚 Extinct.
SQ 836 Isn’t About Moderation. It’s About Money.
A grassroots candidate today can run a smart, gritty primary campaign — knock on doors, meet party voters, build momentum — and sometimes beat the big spenders.
But under SQ 836?
A candidate needs:
- Statewide name recognition on day one
- Major donor backing before the race starts
- A massive advertising budget just to survive the first round
The jungle primary becomes a money primary.
And guess who wins money primaries?
Not the farmer candidate.
Not the teacher candidate.
Not the nurse candidate.
It’s the Bushes over the Ron Pauls.
It’s Hillary over the Bernie.
Every. Single. Time.
SQ 836 Destroys Political Competition
It will reshape the Republican Party — absolutely. But pretending that’s the only consequence is dishonest.
- Democrats get squeezed out completely in many districts
- Libertarians become a protest hobby instead of a real alternative
- Independents vanish from November ballots entirely
The result?
A ballot written by wealthy donors, not voters.
This Isn’t Reform — It’s a Power Grab
Oklahoma voters should be able to choose more than two voices.
SQ 836 says the political establishment already knows who your choices should be — and they’ll narrow the list before you ever touch a ballot in November.
If you are:
- Republican ✅ Vote NO
- Democrat ✅ Vote NO
- Libertarian ✅ Vote NO
- Independent ✅ Vote NO
Because the only people who win under SQ 836…
💼 …are the millionaires, the consultants, and the professional politicians.
Vote NO on State Question 836
Protect the working class.
Protect political competition.
Protect your right to choose.
DEO VINDICE
Andrew Hayes 580-458-7860
Lawton, OK
Editor’s note: If you are asked to sign a petition to get this item on the ballot, please DECLINE TO SIGN! We can save a lot of time and money by defeating this effort at the petition drive level.
Original content via OKGrassroots
