For the first time in many years, I didn’t vote in an Oklahoma primary election.It might sound odd coming from the editor of a political nonprofit publication and from someone who typically shows up at even the lowest turnout elections, including one where a single school board race was on the ballot.But when Election Day arrived in June, I felt an unusual surge of apathy and decided not to drive to my polling location.There was one key item on the primary ballot that interested me — a state House race. Two Republicans — incumbent Preston Stinson and Steve Herburger — were facing off. It was a winner-take-all outcome. The winner faces no opponent in November.But as a registered independent voter, I couldn’t weigh in on the outcome of the race. The only issue I was aware of on my ballot was a local lodging tax initiative.Instead, 2,575 Republicans got to choose who will represent the roughly 39,700 constituents who reside within House District 96, which encompasses parts of Oklahoma City, Edmond and Arcadia and five school districts.I don’t think anything drove home the worthlessness of my vote more than a visit from a Herburger supporter, who stopped at our home stumping for votes.He had no interest in speaking with me because he had a list of registered Republicans living in our home.Under our closed primary systems, I couldn’t vote in the race, so he focused his pitch on the person who mattered — my husband.I don’t think I’ve ever felt more disenfranchised at that moment, and I think subconsciously, I decided I wasn’t going to vote.I share this story because Democracy Day is once again upon us.Coinciding with the International Day of Democracy each year on Sept. 15, the event is designed to “draw attention to the crisis facing American democracy.”I think the biggest threat to democracy in our state is voter apathy.Oklahoma ranked 50th in turnout in November 2020, according to one report that also factored in voters from Washington D.C. Only Texas fared worse.The closed primary system that we have in place that empowers a few to make decisions for many isn’t helping. Our political parties can voluntarily choose to open their primary elections, but there’s no requirement to do so. Oklahoma Democrats have temporarily opened theirs. Republicans and Libertarians have not.That means a huge swath of voters sometimes don’t have the power to weigh in on who ...
