OK voter registrations surge before election, GOP tops 50% for first time ever

There have been some absolutely astounding developments on the voter registration front here in Oklahoma this year, which I will get around to charting in a Voter Registration Maps series update soon. In the meantime, check out this historic news from the Oklahoma State Election Board.

UPDATE: be sure to check out my latest post, MAPS: Historic surge shoves GOP into majority in 13 counties and statewide.

Oklahoma Voter Registrations Surge Before 2020 General Election

For first time, Republicans top 50% of Registered Voters

(Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma’s voter registrations have surged ahead of the 2020 General Election, with a net increase of more than 169,000 registered voters since January 15 and a net increase of nearly 53,000 since September 30. The State Election Board’s official pre-election voter registration statistics show the total number of registered voters is the largest before a Presidential Election since Oklahoma began tracking pre-election voter registration statistics in 2000.

Oklahoma’s voter registration statistics also show that registered Republicans now make up more than 50% of Oklahoma’s registered voters for the first time. The last time a majority of voters belonged to an Oklahoma political party prior to a Presidential Election was November 1, 2004, when Democrats made up 51.3% of registered voters.

“The surge in voter registrations is a clear indication that Oklahomans are highly interested in the 2020 General Election. It is a positive sign for higher voter participation this year,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board.  “The new statistics also continue the decades-long growth trend for Republicans and Independents as a percentage of Oklahoma’s electorate.”

Net change in voter registrations since January 15, 2020

• Total Voters: +169,006
• Republicans: +121,202
• Democrats: +12,413
• Libertarians: +3,731
• Independents: +31,660

Comparison of Registered Voter Percentages

• As of November 1, 2020, Republicans are 50.01% of registered voters, while Democrats are 33.23%, Independents are 16.10%, and Libertarians are 0.66%. 
• On January 15, 2020, Republicans were 48.25% of registered voters, while Democrats were 35.32%, Independents were 15.89%, and Libertarians were 0.53%.
• On November 1, 2016, Republicans were 45.61% of registered voters, while Democrats were 39.71%, Independents were 14.52%, and Libertarians were 0.17%.

Comparison of Official Nov. 1 Pre-Election Statistics (Total Registered Voters)

• 2020: 2,259,113
• 2016: 2,157,450
• 2012: 2,114,713
• 2008: 2,184,092
• 2004: 2,143,978
• 2000: 2,233,602

View Complete Voter Registration Statistics

November 1, 2020 voter registration by county

November 1, 2020 voter registration by district

Voter Registration Statistics (1960- Present)